Asia

 China Manufacturing Activity Growth Picks Up Speed. China's manufacturing activity picked up speed in September, an initial survey by HSBC has shown, adding to signs of a rebound in its economy. The bank's Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), a gauge of the sector's health, rose to 51.2 from 50.1 in August. A reading above 50 shows an expansion. This is the second month in a row the HSBC reading has been above that level. (BBC)

USA

 Demand Strong As Ever As Institutions Bid For Bond Sales. Demand for new Treasuries from their biggest owners is proving impervious to rising yields and the retreat of Wall Street dealers. Bids submitted by investors including mutual funds, foreign central banks, pension managers and insurance companies totaled 83 % of Treasury debt auctioned this year, compared with 84 % in 2012 and 37 % in 2008 at the peak of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. (Bloomberg)

Europe

 Eurozone PMI Survey 'Shows Underlying Improvement'. Eurozone business activity grew at its fastest pace in more than two years in September, according to a closely-watched survey. The Markit composite purchasing managers' index - which includes manufacturing and services - rose to 52.1 points, from 51.5 in August. A number higher than 50 indicates growth. (BBC)

 Draghi Says ECB Is Ready To Offer More Long-Term Loans. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said he’s ready to deploy another long-term refinancing operation to provide funds to Europe’s banking system if needed. “We are ready to use any instrument, including another LTRO if needed, to maintain the short term money markets at the level that is warranted by our assessment of inflation in the medium term,” Draghi said in response to questions from lawmakers in the European Parliament in Brussels today. (Bloomberg)

Currencies

 Dollar Down As Fed Officials Cast Doubt Over Taper. The dollar tipped lower against some rivals on Monday as remarks from Federal Reserve officials showed concern about the pace of economic recovery. The Australian dollar rose to 94.39 U.S. cents from 94.03 U.S. cents late Friday. The New Zealand dollar, which is also sensitive to the Chinese economy, was essentially unchanged at 83.73 U.S. cents versus 83.72 U.S. cents late Friday. The ICE dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of six rival currencies, edged up to 80.452 from 80.435 late Friday. Last week, the ICE dollar index lost 1.2%. Among other major pairs Monday, the British pound rose to $1.6047 from $1.6013. The dollar bought 98.77 Japanese yen, less than the ¥99.32 yen on Friday. The euro dropped to $1.3493 from $1.3523 late Friday. (Market Watch)

Commodities

 Brent Stays Above $109 On Upbeat China PMI Data. Brent crude held above $109 a barrel on Monday, paring earlier losses after robust manufacturing data from China lifted the outlook for demand from the world's second largest oil consumer. Brent crude for November delivery edged down 7 cents to $109.15 a barrel by 0309 GMT, off a low of $108.97 hit earlier in the session. U.S. crude for November inched down 3 cents to $104.72 a barrel. (Reuters)

 Gold Falls On Renewed Fed Tapering Worries. Gold edged down on Monday on renewed worries that the U.S. Federal Reserve will begin cutting its bond-buying purchases as early as next month. Spot gold was down 0.2 % at $1,322.41 an ounce by 3:22 p.m. EDT (1922 GMT). Among other precious metals, silver was down 0.5% to $21.68 an ounce. Platinum fell 0.7 % to $1,417.74 an ounce and palladium eased 0.5 % to $710.97 an ounce. (Reuters)