Cyber Monday Deal: Up to 60% off InvestingProCLAIM SALE

Fed chair Powell's remarks, China stimulus help markets look past weak U.S. jobs data

Published 2019-09-06, 02:07 p/m
© Reuters.  Fed chair Powell's remarks, China stimulus help markets look past weak U.S. jobs data
EUR/USD
-
GBP/USD
-
XAU/USD
-
US500
-
DJI
-
JP225
-
DX
-
GC
-
HG
-
LCO
-
CL
-
IXIC
-
US10YT=X
-
US30YT=X
-
STOXX
-
MIAPJ0000PUS
-
MIWD00000PUS
-
DXY
-

* Fed's Powell speaks in Zurich

* China's central bank announces stimulus policy

* U.S. jobs data disappoints

* The dollar edges lower

* Crude prices on track for weekly gain

By Stephen Culp

NEW YORK, Sept 6 (Reuters) - Wall Street advanced on Friday and Treasury yields pared their losses as upbeat remarks from Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell and a Chinese economic stimulus package helped investors shrug off a weaker-than-expected U.S. jobs report.

The week began with a flight to safety driven by trade jitters and weak U.S. manufacturing data, but positive geopolitical developments in Britain, Hong Kong and Italy, along with news that U.S.-China trade talks would continue, put market participants in a risk-on mood.

That mood was given a further lift by China's central bank, which said that in order to bolster the nation's weakening economy it would lower the amount of cash that banks must hold as reserves, resulting in additional liquidity to the tune of 900 billion yuan ($126.35 billion). the next few weeks, market direction is going to be determined by macroeconomic and geopolitical headlines," said Joseph Sroka, chief investment officer at NovaPoint in Atlanta. "Until we get into October and there's solid company data again, the market's going to be gyrating based on headlines."

But risk appetite was curbed after the U.S. non-farm payrolls report showed an increase of 130,000 jobs in August, fewer than analysts expected. underwhelming data provided another possible sign that the longest-ever period of U.S. economic expansion is losing steam and increased the likelihood that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates when it meets later this month.

"The jobs report gave enough weakness for the Fed to cut 25 basis points this month, but not enough that they would start flashing a recession warning," Sroka added.

Indeed, Powell called the jobs report consistent with a quite strong labor market, in remarks made at a panel discussion in Zurich, adding that despite trade uncertainties he does not foresee or expect a U.S. recession.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average .DJI rose 120.6 points, or 0.45%, to 26,848.75, the S&P 500 .SPX gained 7.6 points, or 0.26%, to 2,983.6 and the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC added 10.53 points, or 0.13%, to 8,127.36.

European and emerging markets extended their gains as China's stimulus announcement outweighed the disappointing economic data from the United States and also from Germany. pan-European STOXX 600 index .STOXX rose 0.32% and MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe .MIWD00000PUS gained 0.34%.

Emerging market stocks rose 0.63%. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan .MIAPJ0000PUS closed 0.72% higher, while Japan's Nikkei .N225 rose 0.54%.

U.S. Treasury yields pared their losses and were essentially flat following the Powell's remarks in Zurich.

Benchmark 10-year notes US10YT=RR last rose 5/32 in price to yield 1.5483%, from 1.565% late on Thursday.

The 30-year bond US30YT=RR last rose 23/32 in price to yield 2.0236%, from 2.054% late on Thursday.

The dollar also regained some ground lost against a basket of major world currencies after the Fed chair spoke.

The dollar index .DXY fell 0.08%, with the euro EUR= up 0.03% to $1.1036.

The Japanese yen strengthened 0.10% versus the greenback at 106.86 per dollar, while sterling GBP= was last trading at $1.2299, down 0.24% on the day.

Powell's remarks also sent crude prices into positive territory after spending much of the session in the red.

U.S. crude CLcv1 rose 0.25% to $56.44 per barrel and Brent LCOcv1 was last at $61.46, up 0.84% on the day.

Gold initially gained ground on the heels of weaker-than-expected labor market data, but has since reversed.

Spot gold XAU= dropped 0.6% to $1,510.40 an ounce.

Copper CMCU3 lost 0.18% to $5,834.50 a tonne.

Three-month aluminum on the London Metal Exchange CMAL3 lost 0.06% to $1,783.00 a tonne.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.