After yesterday's boost in manufacturing, all domestic observers of the economy are eying Friday's unemployment data and, to a lesser extent, the first presidential debate tomorrow. The debate may seem like posturing, but it has moved polls in the past. As for unemployment, economists expect it to stay flat at 8.1%, but a decrease could help confirm that the growth in manufacturing isn't just monthly noise.
With not much at home to entertain traders today, thoughts drifted toward Europe, where rumors are increasing that Spain will engage in a similar "non-default default" like Greece. Furthermore, concerns over earnings season are increasing, but it's too early to say that's the case. In fact, Dow component IBM gained 1.5% and hit an all-time high, as investors are excited about Big Blue's IT consulting business going into earnings, partially because Accenture increased its 2013 guidance last week.
Given all that, we ended up with a mixed day in the markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average
The eurozone fallout is far-reaching, but McDonald's
For instance, it may be worse to be on the other end of the fast-food spectrum -- at least according to hedge-fund manager David Einhorn. Coming off a successful Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
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