Happy Halloween and what a day we have ahead of us. Last day of the month, last day of the year for mutual funds who close their books today, the fed meeting and a decision, and Halloween. Could you ask for more reasons for a confused and volatile enviornment?

Ex distributions continue this morning with Plains All American (PAA) among others locking payouts to holders so some index distortions continue. We have news this morning from Encore Energy Partners LP (ENP) as it posts earnings and distribution numbers and its the first distribution for this recent ipo. No other headlines this morning and no upgrades or downgrades.

MLPs closed down a point and a half on the index but off the lows and above the breakout. Big energy sold down hard yesterday after crude dropped 3 bucks. Crude is up this morning and nat gas is sitting over 8 dollars. Considering the XOI index was down 3% yesterday, it was hard for anything energy to hold a gain so the MLP performance was actually quite good on a relative basis. Natgas is up and over 8 dollars. The weather pattern in the east will be turning much colder over the next 2 weeks or so. Stock futures are 5 points higher on the S&P index.