More GDP data will be available this week, with the United States, Canada and the EMU all reporting third quarter results. But investors are looking past these data; after all, two of the three months of the fourth quarter are just about history. Of more significance to investors will be upcoming purchasing managers surveys on December 3, which will be followed by key sentiment surveys a couple of days later. Investors continue to look forward, convinced that stimulus will ignite the U.S. economy - and by extension, the world economy.

With the currency changeover looming on January 1, 2002, the question arises whether a weak euro will damage its public acceptance? Residents are reluctant to give up their franc, deutsche mark and drachma. The ECB, charged with the complicated conversion of national currencies, has to ensure there is a smooth changeover from a public relations point of view - and a falling euro won't help.

Introduction   •   Global Stock Market Indexes   •   Recap of Global Markets   •   Currencies   •  Indicator Scoreboard

The Bottom Line   •   Looking Ahead