Charting the Markets: Investors Watch China Data and U.S. Rate Outlook

Once again investors have two things on their minds: China and the Federal Reserve. Weekend data showed a bigger-than-expected 6.9 percent drop in China's exports in October in dollar terms, while imports sank 18.8 percent. The figures put further pressure on authorities to boost the flagging economy. Investors will have further opportunities to gauge the health of the world's second-biggest economy this week, with the release of consumer price and producer price data, as well as retail sales and industrial production. When it comes to the Fed, the odds of a U.S. rate increase in December have risen to 68 percent, according to Bloomberg data, following Friday's stronger-than-forecast jobs report. Global stocks are little changed after the MSCI All Country World Index fell for a second week.

China's benchmark Shanghai Composite Index rose for a fourth day and reached its highest since Aug.20 after the government announced plans to resume initial public offerings by the end of the year. The end of the five-month freeze on new share sales signals confidence in the stability of the equity market. Since sinking to its lowest since December on Aug. 26, the Shanghai Composite Index has rebounded 25 percent, entering a bull market. The gauge is still 29 percent below its record set on June 12.