Ford sales plunge

Ford US light vehicle sales fell 8.1% in September. That's not as bad as it looks because it was largely forecast. The estimate was for an 8.0% decline.

Still, it begins to highlight that auto sales -- once part of the backbone of the US recovery -- are no longer a tailwind.

Generally, auto sales have been close to what's expected so far but most manufacturers still haven't reported, including GM and Fiat Chrysler.