HSBC economists forecast a very.....>

US DATA PREVIEW: HSBC economists forecast a very slight increase to 55.6 for the

ISM Non-mfg Index in September.

- They add although the index remained somewhat below its average reading of

56.9 in the first half of the year, "none of the reported comments from

responding firms pointed to a market deterioration in macroeconomic conditions."

Barclays forecast the index to remain broadly unchanged at 55.0.

- They add business activity, new orders and employment subcomponents all rose

in August, reversing some of the sharp decline in the prior month. "We expect

the index to stabilize in September and to be consistent with a solid pace of

expansion in services activity."