Markets
7:30 a.m. CDT reports on Thursday include USDA's weekly export sales, weekly jobless claims, August housing starts and an update of the U.S. Drought Monitor. Trade news and weather forecasts also remain closely watched with a view to activity from China.
Weather
Thursday will continue to be dry and mild in the primary central crop areas. Conditions will be favorable for row crop ripening and harvest and winter wheat planting. The Southeast will see additional rain from former Hurricane Sally. The western U.S. remains wildfire-prone with a dry and very warm to hot pattern. The Pacific Ocean Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) shows the building of La Nina with a 30-day moving average value of plus 10.0.