MIDDAY LUNCH

Dow 10815.00  +26.95, Nasdaq 2369.06  +0.44,S&P 1144.01  +2.81 

Stocks are in positive territory but off today’s highs.

The energy sector is leading the market today up +1.23%.  Occidental Petroleum (OXY) 80.79, +2.49, +3.18% has the best gains today, Chevron (CVX) 82.07 +1.02, +1.26% shares are showing nice gains as well as BP (BP) 41.90 +0.73, +1.77% after the CEO said the company has enough cash to handle any possible lawsuits and expected to resume its dividend next year.

There was a flood of economist reports released today.

The September ISM Manufacturing Index fell to 54.4 from 56.3 in August.  Economists were looking for a reading of 54.8.

The final Consumer Sentiment Survey for September came in at 68.2 up from the preliminary reading of 66.6.  Economists had expected a reading of 67.0.

Construction spending for August increased +0.4%, which was better than the expected -0.5% decline the street expected.

Personal Income and Spending also beat estimates coming in at +0.5% and +0.4% respectively.