The US data the Dow Jones will be watching closely later today

The Dow Jones was the best performing major US stock market index, but that did not stop it from closing lower into the month end. The Dow Jones handed back 317 points, to close out the month at 38,150. Earlier in the session the index had peaked at 38,588, which was another all time record high for the Dow Jones. So it was a pretty sharp reversal from a fresh all time high, but at the same time, not an outside day reversal, as the index had not opened higher yesterday. Later today we have some important US data to be released ahead of the monthly jobs report tomorrow. That is the latest ISM (Institute of Supply Management) manufacturing index. That is due for release at 3pm GMT, with particular focus on the prices paid element right now too. There will be more to add on this later today. Meantime, the Dow Jones futures are a little higher this morning and currently indicating a reopening at around 38,185, perhaps slightly buoyed right now by the European equity markets attempting to rebound from their opening lows