Good morning traders!

In the US last night, the Dow fell 62 points to 15,273. the Nasdaq lost 7 points at
3,761 and the S&P500 shed 4 points at 1,693.

In Asia today, the Nikkei was recently up 60 points at 14,680 and the Hang Seng off
101 points at 23,108.

WTI crude oil traded at $102.66 a barrel and Brent crude at $108.32.

Gold settled at $1,336 an ounce.

Good hunting!

G.

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Morning All, I don't remember that rather large spike in the 6 yr. Gold chart Skinny do you -):

Didn't you buy it Stan! :-)

Upon reflection, Yes I think I probably did -):

Europe Factors to Watch-Stocks to fall on U.S. budget impasse

Thu Sep 26, 2013 6:36am BST
PARIS, Sept 26 (Reuters) - European stocks are set to dip on Thursday,
losing ground for the fourth time in five sessions as a budget impasse in
Washington and a looming battle over the U.S. debt ceiling rattle investors.

Financial spreadbetters expect Britain's FTSE 100 to open 8 to 9
points lower, or down 0.1 percent, Germany's DAX to open 3 to 8 points
lower, or down 0.1 percent, and France's CAC 40 to open 6 to 8 points
lower, or down 0.2 percent.

Before Oct. 1, the U.S. Congress needs to pass stop-gap funding for federal
agencies, and by Oct. 17 it must raise the federal borrowing limit to avoid a
debt default.

Congress is currently struggling to pass the spending bill, while Treasury
Secretary Jack Lew said the government would not be able to borrow funds past
Oct. 17 if no deal on the debt ceiling is reached, fuelling fears of a default.

Nikkei rises on hopes for tax cut and for share-buying by pension fund

Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:31am BST
TOKYO, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The Nikkei average snapped a
three-day losing streak on Thursday, lifted by a media report
saying the government might cut corporate taxes and on
speculation a huge state pension fund could increase how much it
invests in stocks.

The benchmark Nikkei advanced 1.2 percent to
14,799.12, after falling as much as 1.4 percent during the
session amid worries about a deadlock over its budget and debt
ceiling. The broader Topix gained 0.8 percent to
1,220.49 in to moderate trade, with 3.05 billion shares changing
hands.

FTSE100 little changed in early deals ahead of latest GDP data

GBP Current Account -13.0B -11.2B -21.8B

GBP Final GDP q/q 0.7% 0.7% 0.7%

GBP Revised Business Investment q/q -2.7% 0.9% 0.9%

FTSE100 remains little changed midday after dull UK data

USD Unemployment Claims 305K 319K 309K

USD Final GDP q/q 2.5% 2.7% 2.5%

USD Final GDP Price Index q/q 0.6% 0.8% 0.8%

USD Pending Home Sales m/m -1.6% -0.9% -1.3%

FTSE100 ends session modestly higher after upbeat US data