Andy Challenger, chief revenue officer at U.S. Challenger, said layoff activity has eased this year and September data continue to confirm the trend.

U.S. benchmark Treasury yields climbed to their highest levels since 2002 as persistent inflation, large fiscal borrowing and strong growth keep market rate expectations elevated. At one point the 10-year yield rose 4bps to 5.33%, surpassing its 2007 peak; the 30-year also reached its highest level since 2002. Treasuries have been selling off for months and global government bonds are under pressure as higher oil prices tied to the Middle East war ripple through the economy, prompting investors to bet central banks including the Fed will tighten further. Despite rising borrowing costs, the U.S. economy remains resilient and OIS markets have fully priced a Fed hike by year-end.

Poland's foreign minister Radoslaw Sikorski said President Trump was wrong to invite Russian President Putin to this year's G20 in Atlanta. "As long as Putin continues to wage an aggressive war, he should not be treated as a welcome guest," Sikorski said, adding Trump's action "regrettably helps Putin escape isolation."