A sign that China’s manufacturing base was still trundling along at a good lick was helping to ease global growth fears somewhat and encouraging risk asset bulls tempted by cheaper valuations following the August wobble, the FT reports. However, an indicator of underlying market nerves continued to flash in the precious metals space, as gold recorded yet another fresh high by breaking decisively through $1,900 for the first time. S&P 500 futures heralded a 1.5 per cent pop for Wall Street later in the day, while the FTSE Eurofirst 300 had started its session with a gain of 1.2 per cent as miners and banks rallied. The dominant tone was mildly “risk on”, with perceived havens such as the US dollar slightly weaker – off 0.2 on a trade-weighted basis – core bond yields inching higher and commodities advancing. Read more