A record monthly close for the Dow Jones but important US data awaits later today

As already reported here earlier, the Dow Jones rebounded from the Powell induced fall that saw it drop to a session low at 41,929. The index had previously closed on Friday, at 42,313. It closed out the month last night with a very slight gain of just 17 points, at 42,330 and that was of course a new record monthly close too. The reader is again reminded of the all time high set last month, at 42,628. The Dow futures are ever so slightly lower just now ahead of what could be important data due out later today. At 2pm GMT we get the September ISM manufacturing index and also the August JOLTS- job openings data . Both these are important data points and could help shape how the index fares on the first day of the new month. There will be more to add on all that later. Meanwhile the Dow Jones is currently priced to reopen at around 42,315