day shortened week and volumes and news flow is light as expected. Russia $RTS +4.2% as WTI Crude ticks +0.70% to $57.53/bbl. In the US we will have the Chicago Fed before the open and Existing Home Sales a little later in the morning. SPA's +3 handles = 2070.90 last. ***Chicago Fed @ 8:30am, Existing Home Sale

a cap on inflation." "Rather, it is a goal for the average rate of inflation over some period of time," said the regional chief, who became head of the Chicago Fed in September 2007. For Related News and Information: Top Stories: TOP <GO> Federal Reserve links: FED <GO> Credit crunch page: WWCC <GO> Fed bal

e Richmond Fed district, "A producer of gas turbi=es said that economic problems in Europe had reduced his company's exports=by fifty percent"; and, the Chicago Fed noted, "exporter= noted a decline in demand from Europe in China." [4] In a 21 August speech, Dennis Lockhart commented that "th=re is a risk to mo