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 The Fed meets Sept. 18 and some investors are predicting it will lower its benchmark federal funds rate after more than a year of standing pat on rates. In recent weeks, more difficult access to credit has made it harder for consumers and businesses alike to borrow, stirring concerns that tighter access to money will hurt the economy. On top of concerns about credit and a lackluster housing market, Wall Street enters what is often one of its most difficult months. As is typical, volume in late August was light with many investors away. Investors returning from vacations often reassess their holdings. The S&P 500 typically loses 0.7 percent in during the month and 0.6 percent in Septembers that precede an election year, according to the Stock Trader's Almanac.
On Tuesday, investors will receive government data on construction spending in July as well as the Institute for Supply Management's measure of U.S. manufacturing. Investors this week will also be awaiting the August employment report for an indication of how consumers are faring.
Dow Jones industrial average futures fell 12, or 0.09 percent, to 13,352. Standard & Poor's 500 index futures fell 1.00, or 0.07 percent, to 1,457.70. Nasdaq 100 index futures rose 0.50, or 0.03 percent, to 1,995.25.
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 Bonds were little changed. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, was unchanged at 4.53 percent from late Friday. The dollar was mixed against other major currencies, while gold prices rose.
Light, sweet crude fell 9 cents to $73.95 per barrel in premarket electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Overseas, Japan's Nikkei stock average fell 0.63 percent. Britain's FTSE 100 rose 0.15 percent, Germany's DAX index rose 0.23 percent, and France's CAC-40 slipped 0.14 percent.
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On the Net:
New York Stock Exchange: http://www.nyse.com/
Nasdaq Stock Market: http://www.nasdaq.com/
[Associated Press;
by Tim Paradis]
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or
redistributed.
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