Nuveen’s latest commentary focuses on the three major issues facing congress at the moment: Raising the debt ceiling, funding the U.S. government and surviving sequester. "Last week U.S. equity averages were up roughly half of one percent. The most significant economic statistic was the trade deficit - which widened substantially compared to expectations - taking close to half of one percent off of GDP for the fourth quarter. We assume some of that will be offset in December."