Dow set to fall as investors get nervous about Europe and trade

The Dow and US stock futures are pointing to a mixed open following weaker-than-expected economic data in Europe and renewed fears about the trade war.

Investors are still coming to grips with the latest developments on the US-China trade front, after a Chinese delegation canceled visits to midwestern farms on Friday.

Stock futures are mixed. Dow futures were down 0.2%, or less than 40 points. S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite futures are flat.

US stocks edge further and further away from their record highs.

The European purchasing managers index for September put a damper on expectations for the eurozone economy. The eurozone composite PMI came in at 50.4 — still growing, yet below expectations. The manufacturing PMI showed a worse-than-expected contraction.

In Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, the manufacturing sector contracted too. While the services sector continues to expand, it is faring worse than expected.

Christine Lagarde, who is set to take over as head of the European Central Bank in November, “will need to deliver much more stimulus and help coordinate fiscal policies with governments,” said Edward Moya, senior market analyst at Oanda, in a note to clients

Amid worries about global growth, trade and the geopolitical situation surrounding Iran, safe haven assets climbed higher. Bond prices rose and yields slipped, with the 10-year Treasury yield at 1.697%.

Gold prices rose, climbing 0.8% to $1,519 an ounce. Silver prices were up nearly 3% on Monday.

Elsewhere in the world of metals, palladium futures climbed to their highest level ever.