A.M. Update

S&P futures are down -0.3%. Friday’s release of the September Employment Situation report looms large, as well as worries around a potential escalation in the Middle East. WTI Crude Oil futures are up +2.5% to $71.85/bbl. Weekly initial jobless claims totaled 225,000 (consensus 223,000) and last week’s total was revised to 219,000 (from 218,000). The…