Some late positive signs
The Senate risks being the major sticking point in stimulus negotiations so a small endorsement from McConnell is meaningful.

Major indices still close higher for the week
Although the NASDAQ fell over 2% today, the index still closed higher for the 2nd week in a row. The S&P index and Dow industrial average also closed higher for the week. The Dow and S&P snapped a 4-week losing streak.  The stocks snapped a 2 day winning streak

According to his spokesperson
Well, at least if a succession plan needs to be put in place we know that Pence should be fit to take up the role. That said, an early test here may not be too indicative of anything but Pence is said to be tested for the virus every day.

CNN reports
The story doing the rounds is that Hope Hicks tested negative for the virus before she boarded Air Force One on Wednesday morning but showed symptoms later in the day, and then got tested positive after that.

Forex news from the European trading session – 2 October 2020
Headlines:
Markets:
– JPY leads, AUD lags on the day
– European equities lower; E-minis down 1.5%

Long way to go before the ECB commits to any firm inflation language
Recently, they have tried to push the on their inflation outlook/mandate but then Lagarde tried to make some inroads to ‚average‘ inflation targeting – similar to the Fed – earlier in the week .

Stocks keep lower with the dollar and yen slightly firmer on the day
The key news came just before European traders had time to finish making their coffee, being and that tempered with the risk mood as it raises more uncertainty in the election race.

Forex news from the European trading session – 1 October 2020
Headlines:
Markets:
– AUD leads, JPY lags on the day
– European equities higher; E-minis up 1.0%

Cable bounces from 1.2840 to 1.2920 levels currently
The pound is pretty much jumping all over the place this morning on Brexit headlines and it may very well continue that way until the weekend.

Latest data released by Challenger, Gray, and Christmas Inc
– 116k
US-based employers announced an additional 118,804 job cuts in September, up 2.6% from August with bars, restaurants, hotels and amusement parks i.e. entertainment and leisure sectors, the bulk that drove layoffs last month.