Thanks for checking in with Abnormal Returns for seven (or so) links at 7AM Eastern.  Good luck out there today.

Keep an eye on the Hang Seng Index.  (Global Macro Monitor)

China’s PMI continues to soften.  (Pragmatic Capitalism)

Rob Arnott is a real ray of sunshine.  (The Reformed Broker)

Merger Wednesday:  United Technologies ($UTX) pays up to buy Goodrich ($GR).  (Dealbook, WSJ)

The HP ($HPQ) board hired Apotheker in a rush.  Now it seems ready to reverse course.  (NYTimes, WSJ)

Operation Twist is now in effect.  (Economist’s View, Bloomberg, WSJ)

Markets do not like a Fed under political pressure.  (Gavyn Davies)

What lower long term rates means for corporate pension plans.  (Reuters)

For all the latest new and links you can follow us on StockTwits and Twitter.