Chart reflects price changes, not total return. Because it does not include dividends or splits, it should not be used to benchmark performance of specific investments.

Last Week's Headlines

• This past Monday, the U.S., Japan, and 10 other countries reached a trade accord known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In theory, the agreement seeks to remove trade barriers to some goods and services, which are otherwise advantageous to domestic industries, by allowing for more trade among the participating nations. Included in the agreement are provisions aimed at enhancing worker conditions, protecting property rights to benefit drug and technology companies, and defining automotive-assembly rules. However, before becoming official, the deal must be ratified by the governing bodies of the participating nations.
• In addition to a monthly manufacturing index, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) also publishes a monthly non-manufacturing index based on data compiled from purchasing and supply executives from industries including services, construction, mining, agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, wholesale and retail trade, transportation, finance and insurance, and real estate. According to the latest report, the non-manufacturing index registered 56.9% for September, 2.1% lower than August. While a reading of 50% or higher is considered expansion in the non-manufacturing sector, the lower reading indicates a "cooling off" in the rate of growth during the month of September.
• As expected, the U.S. trade deficit for goods and services expanded by $6.5 billion to $48.3 billion in August. Compared to July, exports decreased by $3.7 billion, while imports grew by only $2.8 billion. Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $17.6 billion, or 5.2%, from the same period in 2014. During this period, exports have decreased $58.9 billion or 3.8%, while imports decreased $41.3 billion, or 2.2%. Decreasing exports reflects weakness in foreign demand for U.S. goods and services, coupled with a strong dollar.
• Prices for U.S. imports edged down 0.1% in September, after a 1.6% decrease in August, according to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The continued downward trend in nonfuel import prices more than offset an advance in fuel prices. The price index for U.S. exports declined 0.7% in September, following a 1.4% drop the previous month. Year-on-year export prices are down 7.4%, while import prices have contracted 10.7%.
• Jobless claims decreased by 13,000 for the week ended October 3, to close at 263,000. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was unchanged at 1.6% for the week ended September 26, while the advance number for continuing unemployment insurance claims increased 9,000 to 2,204,000.

Eye on the Week Ahead

Several reports on tap for next week serve as useful economic indicators. The Producer Price Index and Consumer Price Index track prices at the producer and consumer levels, while the retail sales report is a major indicator of consumer spending.

Data sources: News items are based on reports from multiple commonly available international news sources (i.e. wire services) and are independently verified when necessary with secondary sources such as government agencies, corporate press releases, or trade organizations. Market data: Based on data reported in WSJ Market Data Center (indexes); U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields); U.S. Energy Information Administration/Bloomberg.com Market Data (oil spot price, WTI Cushing, OK); www.goldprice.org (spot gold/silver); Oanda/FX Street (currency exchange rates). All information is based on sources deemed reliable, but no warranty or guarantee is made as to its accuracy or completeness. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities, and should not be relied on as financial advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.

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