Share markets got off to a cautious start in Asia on Monday as investors braced for a possible shutdown of the US government, which would in turn delay publication of the September payrolls report and a raft of other key data.
US consumer sentiment fell in September to a four-month low on growing concerns about the impact of high prices on personal finances.
Chinese industrial profits surged after months of declines, signalling that national campaigns to tackle overcapacity and excessive competition are bearing fruit.
The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell last week, but the labour market has lost its lustre amid an anaemic pace of hiring.
The US economy grew in the second quarter at the fastest pace in nearly two years as the government revised up its previous estimate of consumer spending.
The European Commission plans to impose tariffs of 25% to 50% on Chinese steel and related products in the next few weeks, German business daily Handelsblatt reported, citing senior officials in Brussels.