Job numbers surprise massively to the upside
The jobs data came in exceptionally hot today. The non-farm employment change printed at 353K, which is almost double the market expectation of 187K. The unemployment rate was 3.7%, lower than the 3.8% anticipated and monthly average hourly earnings is double expectations at 0.6%. Last month's non-farm employment change was also revised higher to 333K.
These are strong numbers and have cemented the likelihood that a March rate cut is off the table. Market reaction was notable, with the real rate climbing over 6% immediately after the release to 1.8%. This in turn led the USDOLLAR higher and negatively impacted on the S&P500 and other risk instruments. Gold was down almost a percent after the numbers were released.
As the market digests the news, markets may reprice furthereffectively acknowledging that the Fed's "higher for longer" narrative is still very much alive.
Russell Shor
Senior Market Specialist
Russell Shor joined FXCM in October 2017 as a Senior Market Specialist. He is a certified FMVA® and has an Honours Degree in Economics from the University of South Africa. Russell is a full member of the Society of Technical Analysts in the United Kingdom. With over 20 years of financial markets experience, his analysis is of a high standard and quality.
Any opinions, news, research, analyses, prices, other information, or links to third-party sites contained on this website are provided on an "as-is" basis, as general market commentary and do not constitute investment advice. The market commentary has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research, and it is therefore not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of dissemination. Although this commentary is not produced by an independent source, FXCM takes all sufficient steps to eliminate or prevent any conflicts of interests arising out of the production and dissemination of this communication. The employees of FXCM commit to acting in the clients' best interests and represent their views without misleading, deceiving, or otherwise impairing the clients' ability to make informed investment decisions. For more information about the FXCM's internal organizational and administrative arrangements for the prevention of conflicts, please refer to the Firms' Managing Conflicts Policy. Please ensure that you read and understand our Full Disclaimer and Liability provision concerning the foregoing Information, which can be accessed here.