Canadian eco data disappointed. Inflation accelerated less than anticipated

European equities maintain only marginal gains as the US budget vote failed to trigger a protracted risk-on rally. US equities open with modest gains between 0.2% and 0.4%, the Nasdaq outperforming.

UK prime minister Theresa May has left a two-day EU summit in Brussels facing demands that she must make a "firm and concrete commitment" to increase Britain's Brexit "divorce" payment before talks can move on to a future trade deal.

The eurozone current account surplus with the rest of the world rose in August to its highest level since May last year (€33.3 bn). The increase was driven by a jump in the surplus for services from €2.6bn in July to €7.2bn in August, and a smaller deficit in secondary income, which fell to €12.4bn from €14.8bn the previous month.

US President Trump signalled optimism for the passage of Republicans' sweeping tax cut plan, saying a key senator who rejected the party's budget blueprint a day earlier would back the proposed tax measure when it comes up for a vote.

The Spanish government has secured opposition support to dissolve Catalonia's parliament and hold new elections there in January in an effort to defuse the regional government's push for independence.

Jacob Zuma sacked the head of the Communist party from his cabinet in a reshuffle critics said was carried out to purge dissenters and consolidate his power weeks before the ruling African National Congress votes on his replacement.

Canadian eco data disappointed. Inflation accelerated less than anticipated (1.6% Y/Y from 1.4% Y/Y) in September and August retail sales unexpectedly declined by 0.3% M/M. The loonie lost ground with USD/CAD rising above 1.2550 ahead of next week's BoC meeting.