Consumer confidence for August came in at 101.1 ahead of estimates for 97.0. The upbeat report is the strongest since September 2015, and adds another piece of data to point towards a move by the Fed. Utilities are suffering as pro-hike sentiment increases. Tomorrow we have Crude Inventories coming out at 10:30 am, which will likely have some impact. However, the jobs report on Friday morning is the big economic event for the week.  

Oil prices were strong at the open but the strong consumer confidence number caused a sell off. Oil is down about 1% at midday, while the dollar is strong. Market internals are about evenly split with advance/decline close to 50/50.

Agrium (AGU) and Potash (POT) were halted this morning after rumors came out that they were in acquisition talks. The companies have since confirmed that they are discussion a merger of equals but no agreement has been reached yet. Both stocks are up big on the news.