Here are the 10 most important stories for investors Thursday morning

Published Thu, Aug 31 20178:38 AM EDT

A daily morning look at the financial stories you need to know to start the day. STOCKS/ECONOMY -Stock futures are higher after Wednesday's gains. Economic data comes fast and furious this morning with weekly jobless claims, personal income and spending, and pending home sales all due to report. If the personal spending number is 0.4 percent or higher, investors will see it as a sign of a strengthening economy and proof the revised 3 percent GDP number for the second quarter is no fluke. -Americans now spend more on taxes than they do on food and clothing combined. HARVEY HAVOC -Harvey is now moving inland. The death toll from the storm and flooding is now at 35, but more dead are expected to be found today. Moody's Analytics is estimating the cost of the storm will be between $51 billion and $75 billion. Explosions and smoke have been reported at the flood-hit Arkema chemical plant in Texas. OIL/ENERGY -U.S. crude prices are flat and barely holding to the $46 a barrel level. Gasoline prices jumped 4 cents overnight to $2.44 a gallon , national average. The Harvey-caused price spike will continue until refineries get back on line in the region. TERROR/DEFENSE -The U.S. flew bombers and fighters over the Korean Peninsula today in a show of force against North Korea. -The U.S. now has 11,000 troops on the ground in Afghanistan. And as promised in President Donald Trump's speech on a new Afghanistan policy, the U.S. has set aside $255 million in military aid for Pakistan to be paid out provided it helps with anti-terror efforts in Afghanistan. MEDIA WARS -Disney is reportedly about to announce layoffs at ABC Television. MOVING AMERICA -The new Uber CEO says the company will issue its IPO in the next 18 to 36 months. PHARMA -The FDA has approved a new immunization therapy drug to fight cancer. Novartis set the price at $475,000. PENSION TIME BOMB -Minnesota has suddenly become one of the nation's most stressed states in terms of pension shortfalls, thanks to a judge's ruling for more honest accounting.

Interstate highway 45 is submerged from the effects of Hurricane Harvey seen during widespread flooding in Houston, Texas, August 27, 2017.

Richard Carson | Reuters

A daily morning look at the financial stories you need to know to start the day.

STOCKS/ECONOMY

-Stock futures are higher after Wednesday's gains. Economic data comes fast and furious this morning with weekly jobless claims, personal income and spending, and pending home sales all due to report. If the personal spending number is 0.4 percent or higher, investors will see it as a sign of a strengthening economy and proof the revised 3 percent GDP number for the second quarter is no fluke.

-Americans now spend more on taxes than they do on food and clothing combined.

HARVEY HAVOC

-Harvey is now moving inland. The death toll from the storm and flooding is now at 35, but more dead are expected to be found today. Moody's Analytics is estimating the cost of the storm will be between $51 billion and $75 billion. Explosions and smoke have been reported at the flood-hit Arkema chemical plant in Texas.