Thanks afternoon crew.The ASX 200 faded 0.45% to its lowest...

Thanks afternoon crew.

The ASX 200 faded 0.45% to its lowest close in more than a week following mixed Chinese economic data (retail sales good, factory output soft) and after the RBA reminded punters further rates may be on the horizon. (Is that news to anyone?)

Materials provided the day's only sector gain. Defensives were on the nose. CBA was a major drag.

US futures did little to improve the mood. S&P 500 futures declined 0.25%. For anyone who hasn't been through a US debt ceiling "crisis" before, the politicians in Washington usually wait until the last minute and the market freaks out, then they cobble together a compromise, the market rebounds and we all move on.