(Cutoff at European market closing) The "flash" August composite PMI for the eurozone rose to 53.3 from 53.2 in July, reaching its highest level in seven months. Unconfirmed reports suggest that Iran would attend a meeting of OPEC producers in Algeria next month. The pound edged back to $1.3183. The dollar was down against the yen at ¥100.19 and the euro was flat at $1.1313. The yield on the two-year US Treasury was up 1 basis point at 0.75 per cent while the 10-year yield was 2bp higher at 1.56 per cent. The 10-year German Bund yield was flat at minus 0.09 per cent. Brent crude rallied back above the $50 a barrel mark before easing back to $49.85. It had earlier dipped to $48.48. US WTI was up at $48.05. Gold edged up to $1,339 an ounce.
New home sales Jul 654,000
S&P500 2186.9
SSE 3089.71
HSI 22998.93