The Institute for Supply Management wasn’t about to let market participants ease into the weekend as October’s manufacturing index

The Institute for Supply Management wasn’t about to let market participants ease into the weekend as October’s manufacturing index, released Friday, beat expectations and climbed from 56.2% to 56.4%, a level of expansion not seen in more than two years. The resulting pressure on the EUR/USD relationship held gold to a close of $1313.20. The yellow metal began last week above $1350. The metals complex looks to be starting this week in a rather calm fashion following last week’s bumpy ride. Platinum is in the spotlight this morning as the National Union of Minworkers (NUM)have downed tools at one of Northam Platinum’s mines as of Sunday night. The strike action comes amid Association of Mineworker and Construciton Union’s (AMCU) potential strikes at Anglo, Impala and Lonmin, the world’s largest platinum producers. The white metal has been relatively subdued, trading modestly higher from Fridays close of $1451.90.Factory order data from August/September are on tap for today but arguably more important data, including 3^rd Quarter GDP and October unemployment figures, will greet market participants toward the end of the week. Have a great day!