[expat_panama]

Wow, good morning it's a lovely new day!  Yesterday stocks tanked over a % in heavier trade but that may be a good kind of basing/profit taking --witness today's stellar futures view for stocks today at +0.53%   Metals ain't too shabby neither seen this AM at +0.73% and gold/silver are now at $1,126.30/$14.86.   Econ reports  today are just MBA Mortgage Index and Crude Inventories.  Elsewhere:

• China factory slump casts pall but Europe pierces gloom Reuters - 7:50am LONDON Global shares fell on Wednesday after figures showing the biggest contraction in China's manufacturing sector since the global financial crisis intensified fears that a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy will spread more widely.
• Oil nears $50 as U.S. stock-draw balances China data
• Now We Know What Putin Is Up To In SyriaU.S. officials have begun to reveal the kinds of military equipment Russia has been moving into Syria, leaving little doubt that they are establishing an air base in the war-ravaged country. SLIDESHOW: ...The Fiscal Times
• As Investor Confidence In U.S. Falls, What It Means - John Shmuel, NP
• How Fed Inaction Changes the 2016 Election - Zachary Karabell, Politico

Ah, happy first day of Autumn too.

[citizen]

Here’s another article re the slowdown in China:

China Factory PMI Unexpectedly Falls to 6-1/2 Year Low
http://www.foxbusiness.com/economy-policy/2015/09/23/china-factory-pmi-unexpectedly-falls-to-6-12-year-low/?intcmp=bigtopmarketfeatures

“The weaker-than-expected PMI suggested domestic and external demand remained sluggish. It’s almost certain China’s economic growth will slide below 7 percent in the second half of this year,” economists at Minsheng Securities said. “To achieve the growth target, we expect the authorities to keep its loosening monetary policy stance with more measures on the fiscal front in coming months.”