LONDON (AP) — Financial markets were flat-footed Monday ahead of a run of economic data and corporate earnings statements, particularly out of the U.S. Oil was the standout mover as the benchmark rate fell below $100 a barrel for the first time since early July.
Now that a deal to raise the U.S. debt ceiling has been agreed, investors can move on and focus on other matters, such as the underlying health of the global economy and when the Federal Reserve will start reducing its monetary stimulus.
During the partial U.S. government shutdown of recent weeks, much of the U.S. economic data was postponed. With the government now functioning fully, many of those data reports will be released over the coming days, including September's nonfarm payrolls figures. That's due on Tuesday and could provide investors a steer as to when the Fed will start reducing its $85 billion-worth of monthly asset purchases.
Until the U.S. debt crisis this month, most investors thought the Fed's so-called "tapering" of its stimulus program would start by December. Many now think it won't start until Janet Yellen takes the chair in early 2013.
In addition, investors will be monitoring the next batch of earnings, particularly out of the U.S. On tap Monday are quarterly updates from the likes of Halliburton, McDonald's and Netflix.
"In total this week will see almost 30 percent of the S&P 500 reporting figures, more than enough to keep traders busy," said Alastair McCaig, market analyst at IG.