ENERGY (MSM)

Indexes flat; on track for best month in four years

The S&P consumer staples sector slipped 0.63 percent after data showed U.S. consumer spending barely rose in September and the University of Michigan’s index on consumer sentiment came in below expectations. The three major indexes have rallied about 9 percent in October, mostly driven by the Fed’s decision to keep rates unchanged at its September meeting and largely positive third-quarter results. Energy majors Exxon and Chevron reported better-than-expected results, helped