Global indicators were mixed for North American stock markets Tuesday after the Labour Day holiday weekend, and following last week’s U.S. Federal Reserve-inspired gains.

Today’s economic news includes the release of the U.S. Institute of Supply Management’s manufacturing survey, which may have declined in August from July’s levels. However, the ISM poll is still expected to be above the 50% level that indicates economic expansion.

Auto makers will be also reporting sales for August throughout the day.

There are no major economic releases from Statistics Canada today.

One day before the Bank of Canada announces it decision on interest rates, the Canadian dollar opened at US94.97¢, up 0.29 of a cent. The central bank is expected to stand pat on interest rates, given concerns about the global credit crunch and an economic slowdown.

In Europe, indices were mixed Tuesday, after the CEO of Deutsche Bank said at a speech in Frankfurt there were signs the credit crisis was abating. “In the last few days, there have been signs that markets [are beginning] to stabilize,” said Josef Ackermann. “Liquidity is returning.”

Britain’s FTSE 100 rose 0.15%, Germany’s DAX index was up 0.23% and France’s CAC 40 slipped 0.14%

In Asia, the Nikkei 225 index lost 104.46 points, or 0.63%, in Tokyo to finish at 16,420.47 points.

In Hong Kong, the blue-chip Hang Seng fell 18.02 points, or 0.08%, to 23,886.07 after hitting an intraday record of 24,127.16 in the morning session.

Crude-oil futures rose 9¢ to US$74.13 a barrel, with investors concentrating on the damage that Hurricane Felix produces — and whether it will affect production out of the Gulf of Mexico.

On, Friday, the Toronto stock market ended a losing month with broad-based gains.

The S&P/TSX composite index surged 215.85 points, or 1.6%, to close at 13,660.48.

The benchmark index finished the week up 1%, but lost 1.5% on the month.

The gains came as U.S. President George W. Bush and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke delivered speeches regarding the U.S. subprime mortgage turmoil and the resulting crisis gripping credit markets.

Bush unveiled plans to help some subprime borrowers to avoid foreclosure. Bernanke said the central bank was ready to act to curb the impact of the turbulence on the economy.

The TSX financials group advanced 0.77%. Shares in Scotiabank rose $1.07 to $52.24 after the bank said it has agreed to buy a 79% stake in Chile’s Banco del Desarrollo.

The junior S&P/TSX Venture composite index climbed 61.81 points to 2,647.81.

In New York, U.S. stocks surged on Friday as Bush and Bernanke reassured investors they would do what was needed to shelter the economy from market turmoil.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 119.01 points, or 0.9%, at 13,357.74. The S&P 500 was up 16.35 points, or 1.12%, at 1,473.99. The Nasdaq composite index was up 31.06 points, or 1.21%, at 2,596.36.

While the S&P and Dow fell for the week, all three indexes posted their first monthly gains since May. The Dow rose 1.1%, the S&P climbed 1.3%, while the Nasdaq surged 2% in August.