Markets...
Asia....
Asia calendar for Thursday.
Economic data due from Asia today - China Q3 GDPhttp://news.forexlive.com/!/economic-data-due-from-asia-today-china-q3-gdp-20171018 …
GDP 6.8%, Exp. 6.8%Industrial Production 6.6%, Exp. 6.4%Retail Sales 10.3%, Exp. 10.2%
Its China GDP day. Estimates are between 6.6 and 6.9% growth for 3Q. Here’s the official “man-made” growth number & the Li Keqiang Index
Australia full-time employment +6.1K, Last +40.1Kpart-time employment +13.7K, Last +14.1K
Sept Trade balance ( Japan ) is better than expected. 4th month in a row of surplus status.
Japan - September trade balance Y 670.2bn (expected Y 556.8bn) http://news.forexlive.com/!/japan-september-trade-balance-y-bn-expected-y-5568bn-20171018 …
Kobe Steel allegedly passed down how-to memos detailing deceptive practice for years
Japan Securities Regulator Said To Probe Toshiba Reports Nikkei
Brokerages Halt 2 Kobe Steel-Linked Note Sales, Nikkei SaysIn light of the company being a fraud, this is prudent
Yomiuri: Japan considers capability to intercept Chinese cruise missiles as well as North Korean ballistic missiles
APPLE CUTS ORDERS FOR IPHONE 8 AS SALES MISS: ECONOMIC DAILY
#USSRonaldReagan, #USSStethem and #ROKNavy ships steam together during an exercise east of the Korean Peninsula, Oct. 18. #AroundtheFleet
US.....
Another day of record closes ,ground hog day lives on.
Dow closes above 23K for first time. S&P and Nasdaq record closes. http://news.forexlive.com/!/dow-closes-above-23k-for-first-time-sp-and-nasdaq-record-closes-20171018 …
S&P 500: 239 consecutive trading days without a 3% pullback. 3 more days for the record...
$eBay Q3 17 Earnings Results:-Adj EPS: $0.48 (Estimate $0.48)-Revenue: $2.41B (Estimate $2.37B)
$UAL United Continental Q3 17 Earnings Results:-Adj EPS: $2.22 (Estimate $2.19)-Revenue: $9.88B (Estimate $9.87B)
$AA Alcoa Q3 17 Earnings Results:-Adj EPS: $0.72 (Estimate $0.74)-Revenue: $3.0B (Estimate $2.93B)
$KMI Kinder Morgan Q3 17 Earnings Results:-EPS: $0.15 (Estimate $0.15)-Revenue: $3.28B (Estimate $3.23B)
$AXP American Express Q3 17 Earnings Results:-EPS: $1.50 (Estimate $1.48)-Revenue: $8.4B (Estimate $8.32B)
This !!!
The yield on 10-yr US Treasuries (2.35%) is now 20 bps higher than the yield on European Junk Bonds (2.15%).
Swampland......
NEW: Bipartisan bill to extend ObamaCare subsidies is likely dead http://hill.cm/mn1yriA
Corker signs on as co-sponsor of Alexander-Murray health care bill after Trump opposes it.
#BREAKING: Lewandowski met with Senate Intel in Trump-Russia probe: report http://hill.cm/FlSAb6B
Hmmmm...
0:41
Newly released FBI records confirm that Comey draftedstatement on Clinton case two months before interviewing her. http://fxn.ws/2xOn8es
At WH Wyden says he made it “clear in today’s meeting that there is an enormous chasm between the rhetoric &..reality of the Trump tax plan”
Stay tuned..
White House: Federal Reserve chair decision due in 'coming day'shttp://news.forexlive.com/!/white-house-federal-reserve-chair-decision-due-in-coming-days-20171018 …
Hopefully,the Senate Judiciary Committee is closely examining all of the moving pieces here.
Timeline: The Clintons, the Russians, and Uranium https://hotair.com/archives/2017/10/18/timeline-clintons-russians-uranium/ …
Bipartisan ObamaCare compromise collapses even quicker than you’d expect https://hotair.com/archives/2017/10/18/bipartisan-obamacare-compromise-collapses-even-quicker-youd-expect/ …
It's official: Warner and Klobuchar announcing their political ad disclosure bill tomorrow -- and they have a GOP co-sponsor, Sen. McCain
Not yet...
Sessions: Special counsel hasn't asked me for an interviewhttp://hill.cm/wWTMBsz
Sessions says confident he did not have to recuse himself from decision to fire Comey.
because based on comey's performance, not on merits of the investigation
Senate Judiciary Committee to probe what appears on the face to be alleged collusion involving Russia.
Senate Judiciary Launches Probe Into Russian Nuclear Bribery Case That Netted Clintons Millions http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-10-18/senate-judiciary-launches-probe-russian-nuclear-bribery-case-netted-clintons-million …
Trump can't help himself , can't stop creating "own goal" controversies.
In Tweetstorm, Trump Slams Comey Who "Lied And Leaked And Protected Hillary Clinton", Rips NFL, Democrats http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-10-18/tweetstorm-trump-slams-comey-who-lied-and-leaked-and-protected-hillary-clinton-rips- …
Colleague Catherine Herridge rpts Fusion GPS figures Peter Fritsch & Joshua Levy to appear before Hse Intel Cmte today about Trump dossier
#UPDATE Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dismisses US leader's call for tougher sanctions on Tehran http://u.afp.com/4KmR
“Anything propping [ObamaCare] up is only saving what Republicans promised to dismantle"-Rep Mark Walker , Chmn-Republican Study Committee.
GOP lawmakers refuse to support bipartisan deal to extend ObamaCare payments Trump ended http://hill.cm/6xVsoPu
Puerto Rico....
The organization is also asking for the repeal of the Jones Act
Greenpeace joins ‘Our Power Puerto Rico’; sailing to island with solar systems and goods for rural communities: http://go.cb.pr/2x66L8W
En el área metropolitana se espera conectar muchos sectores antes del 23 de octubre.
Para la semana que viene se espera poder restablecer la energía en áreas críticas de Humacao y Fajardo.
Conexiones parciales de luz en Arecibo, Cidra, Coamo, Guánica, Guayanilla, Ponce, Yauco y Santa Isabel.
AEE: “un 19.1% de clientes tiene servicio”
Public Affairs Sec said restoration of power grid will cost $1.3 billion but argued FEMA could cover big portion of the cost @CaribBusiness
Governor argued public schools could expect a loss of around 3,500 students if we "extrapolate" from those who have left@CaribBusiness
Public Affairs secretary said that with the help of Sat COWs, telecommunication services are at 60%, which this month's goal @CaribBusiness
Gov Rosselló pleaded the Fed Senate to "act quickly" in approving the amended aid package b/ PR needs the money "next week" @CaribBusiness
Engineers are assessing the damages in the public schools infrastructure. Evaluations are also divided by regions @CaribBusiness
Spain....
Latest cat and mouse games....1
LATEST: Puigdemont's party (PDeCat) says it will ask Puigdemont to lift suspension of independence declaration if Rajoy applies Article 155. https://twitter.com/elpuntavui/status/920722511624589314 …
Latest cat and mouse games....2
So now:- Rajoy: will apply 155 if they have really, really declared independence;- PDeCat: will declare independence if Rajoy applies 155. https://twitter.com/thespainreport/status/920722825631199232 …
#BREAKING Catalan president to officially declare independence if Spain suspend self-government
Here is the state of play for now , as per Catalan News..
On Thursday morning, the deadline set by the Spanish govt is up 
https://goo.gl/aYXa39 .
https://goo.gl/aYXa39 .Rajoy seems to be wavering a bit..
Rajoy considers giving Puigdemont another week, the time it will take to implement Article 155—to suspend home rule in Catalonia—in Senate. https://twitter.com/montesinospablo/status/920614998770176000 …
Rajoy wants clear a statement regarding declaration of independence ,what will Puigdemont say or do ?
2:00
Rajoy’s final deadline looms. Spanish president wants Puigdemont to say that he didn't declare independence. https://goo.gl/sv9ozX . Additional leaders being jailed in realm of possibilities...
Romeva says that he isn’t ruling out the possibility that both he and the Catalan president might be jailed https://goo.gl/XWxBpP .
https://goo.gl/XWxBpP .Rajoy threatens to do whatever it takes...
Rajoy warns he'll take measures "that it'd be better not to ever take" unless Puigdemont says indy wasn't declared https://goo.gl/3cWmuQ
Spanish Justice Min Catala:Spain Is Ready To Apply ‘All Legal Instruments’ To Catalonia – El Pais
Guess we have to wait and see how the Catalan leadership responds to this proposal.
Spanish govt to halt suspension of Catalan self-rule if snap elections are called http://catalannews.com/politics/item/spanish-govt-to-halt-suspension-of-catalan-self-rule-if-snap-elections-are-called-2 …
UK-EU Talks...
EU leaders aim to let Theresa May down gently over trade talks https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/oct/18/eu-leaders-aim-to-let-theresa-may-down-gently-over-trade-talks?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other …
Mid November looks likely now...
EU withdrawal bill to be delayed by a month - report https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/89911/eu-withdrawal-bill-be-delayed-month-report …
EU’s Tusk: Concrete Proposals Needed From UK-Still Possible To Advance Brexit Talks In December
Stay tuned..
Theresa May tries to head off Tory revolt ahead of crunch Universal Credit votehttps://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/social-affairs/welfare/news/89901/theresa-may-tries-head-tory-revolt-ahead-crunch-universal …
Ukraine....
The Hotel Kolyba in #slavyansk #ukraine totally destroyed by shelling
French drug company says it might pull out of Ukraine due to raids on accounts | KyivPost https://buff.ly/2x61IFo
BREAKING: 'Car ploughs into pedestrians in Kharkiv, Ukraine'. 'Many victims'.. more soon
Keep your eyes on the Ukraine. Unrest with Gov't is growing.
Thousands of anti-government protesters rally in Ukrainehttp://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20171018/p2g/00m/0in/046000c …
Protesters demand parliament votes to strip lawmakers of immunity | KyivPost https://buff.ly/2gMdgrb
Odds & Ends...
Scotiabank mulls sale of gold trading unit: sources http://reut.rs/2hPlnTy
I bet the technical glitch is lack of money.
Venezuela Said to Cite Technical Glitches for Bond Payment DelayHackers did it
Tit for tat blacklisting on deck..Russia set to return blacklist favor given to certain Russia Media Outlets
“The list includes CNN, Voice of America and Radio Liberty” http://bit.ly/2gOF6TK
They do keep repeating this.
North Korea won't give up nuclear weapons: unification minister http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2017/10/103_237872.html …
Not just Hollywood...
Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney says team doctor Larry Nassar molested her https://hotair.com/headlines/archives/2017/10/olympic-gymnast-mckayla-maroney-says-team-doctor-larry-nassar-molested/ …
Keep in mind , for now , the US has not withdrawn from JCOPA.
Iran's supreme leader says Tehran will abide by nuclear accord, but if U.S. pulls out, it will 'shred' the deal. BG: http://cbc.ca/1.4353335
Western Canada dealing with wildfires now.
Wildfires spread by gusting winds force people from their homes across southern Alberta and Sask. http://www.cbc.ca/1.4359754
Why is a Malta MEP fearing for his life , what might Galiza have told him?
Maltese MEP @DavidCasaMEP in tears and in fear after murder of family friend and journalist #Galizia, according to colleagues. #PanamaPapers
Germany: Forsa pollCDU/CSU-EPP: 32%SPD-S&D: 20%AfD-ENF: 12%FDP-ALDE: 11%GR?NE-G/EFA: 11% LINKE-LEFT: 9%
