CFTC: In the week to Oct. 6, speculators' net short positions in CME S&P 500 futures rose 41,003 contracts to 396,700.

Euro-area bond-market volatility has renewed debate over which tools could keep markets functioning in a wider crisis, with some analysts flagging the ECB’s repo operations—banks obtaining cash by pledging collateral—as a contingency liquidity source if conditions tighten. The ECB’s main refinancing operation (MRO) was not designed as a crisis facility and take-up has been low because market funding is often cheaper. Although market liquidity is still ample, banks may avoid the MRO due to stigma; analysts advise the ECB to consider lowering MRO financing costs, as the Bank of England has done, to make the tool more attractive and reduce that stigma.

Zimbabwe said there is no reason to delay the lithium concentrate export ban due to take effect in January next year.