The primary stock indices struggled during the majority of the last trading
session. Investors continued to feel the pressure of a global economic slowdown.
Global economic fears were stocked when data posted last session which revealed
diminished export growth for China in September. Export growth dropped from 24.5
percent in August to 17.1 percent in September. This data is negatively skewed
and will affect other countries and economies which count on China. This news
pressured indices globally. Stocks in Europe fell weaker and the primary indices
in the U.S. experienced negative movement as well. Slightly more positive news
posted domestically. The U.S. government revealed that first time unemployment
claims fell. According to the Labor Department data, first time claims for
unemployment benefits dropped by 1,000 to 404,000 last week. Although the claims
did post a very moderate dip, the drop was not significant and did little to
boost the morale of those plagued by economic slowdown concerns. Overall, the
national unemployment rate still remains at percent. Trade deficit data also
posted today via the labor Department and this data remained unchanged. The
trade deficit posted at $45.6 billion for August. The primary index composites
in the U.S. ended the session mixed. The S&P 500 finished negative by .30
percent at 1,203.66. The Nasdaq closed out the session higher by .60 percent at
2,620.24. The Dow Jones finished the day lower by .35 percent to close at
11,478.13. The dollar gained strength versus the euro and British pound. Oil
dropped lower as did precious metal gold prices. Frank Matto
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