Traders will be keen to tie up their transactions today - on the last day of October - to send their monthly reports to investors.

BBC: Sandy: US stock exchanges reopen

Celebrated on October 31 for more than a millennium, its origin dates back to the observation of the Celtic festival Samhain on the last day of October.

CNN: Happy Halloween

Marriott made a big move in the Middle East last week, opening three hotels on the same day, 5 October, in Doha, Qatar.

BBC: Openings: Los Angeles, Florence and Qatar