Global equities are starting the month off on a positive note. The August Chinese Purchasing Managers’ report came in with better-than-expected results, as did Australia’s Gross Domestic Product. In the U.S., the August Institute for Supply Management’s ISM Manufacturing Index came in at 56.3, up from the prior month’s 55.5. All three economic reports provided a catalyst for the U.S. stock market to close above two prior resistance areas and help ease concerns of a double dip recession.