U.S. stocks finished off their worst August since 2001 with a listless day.  While there were some secondary economic reports, most of the focus remains on data points coming later in the week.  The S&P 500 was flat while the NASDAQ fell 0.3%.  For the month the S&P 500 fell 4.7%.

• Chicago PMI came in at 56.7 for August. The figure fell short of the consensus of 57.0, and was the lowest since November 2009.
• The Conference Board said its Consumer Confidence Index now stands at 53.5, up from 51.0 in July. Still, consumer confidence is far below the 90 reading that would indicate a healthy economy.

Commodity markets were mixed with most physical assets dropping, while precious metals rose.  Crude oil suffered a 3.7% loss, falling to $71.92 while copper dropped 1.5% to $3.36.  Gold rallied 0.9% to $1248.30 while silver continued its recent outperformance tacking on another 1.9% to finish at $19.40.  Ten year treasuries rallied again, sending yields from 2.53% to 2.47%.

European markets had modest gains with Britain up 0.5%, Germany 0.2%, and France 0.1%.

• Germany's unemployment rate held steady at 7.6 percent in August as an improving economy bolstered the labor market.  Compared with a year earlier, 283,000 fewer people were out of work.

Asia seemed to have a delayed reaction to the Japanese stimulus plan announced Sunday evening.  While Western markets scoffed at the scope of the new round of handouts and giveaways, Asian markets had initially reacted positively.  Not so much Tuesday.  Japan plunged 3.5% despite a positive reading in industrial production, while China fell 0.5% and India 0.4%.

• Japan's industrial production in July unexpectedly rose for the first time in two months, as companies bolstered output despite signs of a slowing global economy.  Factory production climbed 0.3% from June. he reading beat Kyodo news agency's average market forecast for a 0.3% decline.  Sectors contributing to the improvement include general machinery, chemicals and paper.
• India's economy grew 8.8% in the June quarter, its fastest pace in over two years, as good farm and manufacturing output lifted growth back to its pre-crisis trajectory.  India's growth averaged nearly 9% before the Great Recession, which dragged growth this time last year to 6% -- the last quarter before India's economic rebound began.

Brazil gained 1.4%.