Headlines discussed at LNWM’s Monday morning briefing:

— The IMF (Int’l Monetary Fund) lowered its global growth forecast for 2015 — to 3.8% from 4%,
adding that some equity valuations could be frothy.

— U.S. unemployment claims hit an eight-year low, averaged over the 4-week period ended Oct. 4.

— U.S. stock market volatility has increased 21% in the past week, hitting an eight-month high.

— German exports suffered a sharp 5.8% decline in Aug. 2014, the worst monthly decline since 2009.

— Japanese core machinery orders rose for the third straight month (Aug.) on higher capital spending.

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