Update

There were positive numbers from the Northern Hemisphere last night, with solid earnings across US stock markets following the momentum of the FOMC minutes released yesterday. Eurozone industrial production for August rose 1%, above the 0.8% median and UK unemployment dropped to 7.7% from 7.8%.

The Chinese trade surplus dropped $16.88bn from the median $17.75bn in September with exports slowing to an annual pace of 25.1%. Despite this, import and export levels remain strong and will continue to drive the local sector.

Australian consumer confidence rose 3.3% in October after a fall of 5% the previous month putting a little more pressure on the RBA to lift rates on Melbourne Cup day. A run away dollar may give them cause to pause though. At time of writing the AUD was .9920