China's services sector PMI cools in September (by Chris Oliver)

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- China's official non-manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index in September printed at 53.7, compared to 56.3 in August, its weakest reading since November 2010, according to reports. The survey, put out by China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing, was based on responses to 1,200 questionnaires sent out to the heads of companies in the services sector. A reading above 50 is viewed as separating economic expansion from contraction.

Europe stocks edge lower as Spain dents sentiment ( SXXP FGP TSCO DAX UKX PX1 ) (by Barbara Kollmeyer)

MADRID (MarketWatch) -- European stock markets edged lower in early trading on Wednesday, weighed by concerns Spain may limp on and delay a bailout. A weak China services purchasing managers survey and sluggish sentiment data also weighed. The Stoxx Europe 600 index (xx:sxxp) fell 0.3% to 270.90. Shares of Tesco PLC (uk:tsco) fell over 1% as the grocer reported a fall in first-half profit. Shares of FirstGroup PLC (uk:fgp) sank 15% on news that its deal with West Coast Main Line was blocked. The German DAX 30 index (dx:dax) fell 0.2% to 7,294.86, the FTSE 100 index (uk:ukx) eased 0.3% to 5,794.37 and the French CAC 40 index (fr:px1) fell 0.4% to 3,400.73.

Poll shows slim lead for Obama over Romney (by Barbara Kollmeyer)

MADRID (MarketWatch) -- A new poll shows President Barack Obama holding a narrow lead over contender Mitt Romney ahead of the first presidential debate. The Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll published late Tuesday showed a tighter race, with Obama leading 49% to 46% among likely voters, slightly lower than the 5 point lead he held in mid-September. Obama continues to hold leads among Hispanics -- 71% said they plan to vote for him -- young voters and women. Romney is maintaining leads among white voters and men, with his support among Hispanic voters just 21%, the poll said. The poll surveyed 1,000 voters, 832 of who were likely to vote in November. The poll also showed a bigger number of voters think the economy is improving -- 57%, up from 50% in August. A larger majority said Obama has a clearer message and plan on what he intendes to do, 65%, over 52% for Romney.

China consumer sentiment slips in September (by Chris Oliver)

HONG KONG (MarketWatch) -- Chinese consumer sentiment weakened in September for the third straight month, falling to its lowest level since December, according to a survey released by Deutsche Boerse's MNI on Wednesday. The sentiment index printed at 89.3, compared to 90.4 in August. A subcomponent of the index measuring future expectations improved slightly, rising to 88.2 for the month compared to 87.9 in August. The report said sentiment among consumers towards the housing market slipped back after improvement in August, while views towards the stock market picked up slightly, but remained at depressed levels.