Manufacturing data from Japan and China

A report on Monday from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showed that Japanese industrial production fell 0.7 in August.

However, the fall last month came after a 3.4 percent jump in July. A government survey accompanying the report also showed that production is expected to increase 5.2 percent in September and 2.5 percent in October.

In further indication that factory activity remains robust, another report on Monday showed that the Markit/JMMA Japan manufacturing PMI rose to 52.5 in September, the highest since February 2011, from 52.2 in August.

Another report on Monday showed that retail sales rose 1.1 percent in August from a year earlier.

Meanwhile, over in China, the final HSBC manufacturing PMI for September disappointed, coming in at 50.2. Although up from 50.1 in August and indicating expansion, it was well below last week's flash reading of 51.2.