The market is up 4. SFE Futures were down 19 this morning.

Dow Jones down 49. The Dow was down 119 at worst and up two at best. US markets were down in what was seen as profit taking at the end of the month and quarter and also on disappointing economic data with the Chicago PMI, Michigan Sentiment, durable orders, GDP — Third Estimate, and pending home sales mostly missing estimates.

HSBC’s Flash Chinese PMI number came in at 47.90, which was better than the previous reading of 47.80 (11th straight month of decline). New export orders fell at the fastest rate in 42 months suggesting economic weakness in major export markets such as the United States and Europe were continuing to weigh on the Chinese economy.

Spain announced seven of the 14 banks included in their stress tests need capital totalling €59.3 billion (in line with expectations). Spain released its 2013 budget, which calls for the government to cut spending by €40 billion and to cut its deficit to 4.5% of GDP (almost 9.0% in 2011). Spanish 10-year bond yield down 0.7bpts to 5.93%. Metals up — copper up 0.39%, nickel up 0.69%, aluminium up 0.25% and zinc up 0.54%.  The spot iron ore price was unchanged at $104.20.

  • The Chinese PMI number is out at 49.8 versus expectations of 49.9 … basically in line with expectations.
  • The TD Securities/Melbourne Institute monthly inflation gauge rose 0.2% in September, after a rise of 0.6% in August. Inflation grew 2.4% cent in the year to September.
  • The AIG performance of manufacturing index (PMI) fell 1.2 points to 44.1 in September. The high Australian dollar and reduced mining activity have produced a further contraction in the manufacturing sector. Only two sectors improved, textiles, clothing and footwear and paper printing and publishing.
  • BHP Billiton (BHP) — is confident it can reach copper production growth of at least 10% a year through mid-2015. The company is optimistic of long-term demand driven by China, India and other urbanising nations. BHP is also making significant cost savings at its metals base division. BHP is up 0.76% to 3328c.
  • Arrium Limited (ARI) — has received an unsolicited bid from a consortium of Noble Group Limited, POSCO Australia, National Pension Service of Korea, Korea Investment Corporation and Korea Finance Corporation to acquire all of the shares in the company at 75c by way of a scheme of arrangement. ARI is up 25% to 19c.
  • The Bendigo & Adelaide Convertible Preference shares went off at a 5% above the bank bill rate, which was bottom of the indicated range and broker firm applications got scaled back.
  • For income investors, broker firm applications for the Suncorp-Metway convertible preference shares need to be in tomorrow morning at Patersons and for those scaled back on Bendigo this is a possible alternative. The indicative dividend rate is between 4.65% and 4.85% on top of the bank bill rate.
  • Newcrest Mining (NCM) — A private exploration company has lodged a legal claim to prevent the company going ahead with a key part of its $2 billion Cadia East project. NCM is up 0.82% to 2938c.

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