Friday 2.5.16
U.S. equities fell on Friday as mixed U.S. employment data raised concerns that the Federal Reserve may raise rates this year.
The U.S. economy added 151,000 jobs in January, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday. Economists were expecting a gain of 190,000. The unemployment rate, however, fell to 4.9 percent from 5.0 percent, while wages rose 0.5 percent.
The jobs report raised the odds of another Federal Reserve rate hike, said Arne Espe, senior portfolio manager at USAA Investments.
“We’re back to pricing in a 50 percent chance for a rate hike in December,” he said. ” We were at less than 50 percent before the report.”
The central bank hiked interest rates for the first time in nine years in December.
“It’s all about that wage number, and that the 151,000 number is still indicative of growth,” said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at First Standard Financial. “[Wages] could be a sticking point for the Fed.”
The three major indexes opened slightly lower, with the Dow Jones industrial average briefly trying for gains, before falling 200 points in late-morning trading. McDonald’s and Home Depot weighed the most on the index
The S&P 500 index dropped over 1 percent, as information technology fell nearly 2 percent.
The Nasdaq composite fell more than 2.5 percent, as Apple and theiShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) fell 1 percent and 3 percent, respectively. Also weighing on the index were Amazon and Facebook. The two stocks fell 5.3 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively.
“This is a classic example of why the headline looks worse than the actual report,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Wunderlich Securities. “The key components of this report were positive.”
He noted that average hourly earnings, average hours worked and labor force participation all rose last month.
U.S. equities fell on Friday as mixed U.S. employment data raised concerns that the Federal Reserve may raise rates this year.
The U.S. economy added 151,000 jobs in January, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Friday. Economists were expecting a gain of 190,000. The unemployment rate, however, fell to 4.9 percent from 5.0 percent, while wages rose 0.5 percent.
The jobs report raised the odds of another Federal Reserve rate hike, said Arne Espe, senior portfolio manager at USAA Investments.
“We’re back to pricing in a 50 percent chance for a rate hike in December,” he said. ” We were at less than 50 percent before the report.”
The central bank hiked interest rates for the first time in nine years in December.
“It’s all about that wage number, and that the 151,000 number is still indicative of growth,” said Peter Cardillo, chief market economist at First Standard Financial. “[Wages] could be a sticking point for the Fed.”
The three major indexes opened slightly lower, with the Dow Jones industrial average briefly trying for gains, before falling 200 points in late-morning trading. McDonald’s and Home Depot weighed the most on the index
The S&P 500 index dropped over 1 percent, as information technology fell nearly 2 percent.
The Nasdaq composite fell more than 2.5 percent, as Apple and theiShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) fell 1 percent and 3 percent, respectively. Also weighing on the index were Amazon and Facebook. The two stocks fell 5.3 percent and 5.8 percent, respectively.
“This is a classic example of why the headline looks worse than the actual report,” said Art Hogan, chief market strategist at Wunderlich Securities. “The key components of this report were positive.”
He noted that average hourly earnings, average hours worked and labor force participation all rose last month.
Recent U.S. economic data has been mixed and, coupled with falling oil prices, have contributed to rising fears of a recession.
However, Glassdoor Chief Economist Andrew Chamberlain said “if we’re going into a recession, the first thing firms will do is stop hiring.”
“There is no evidence of that,” noting that the number of job openings is still high.
“I always feel it’s best to smooth out the monthly gyrations of payroll data and today’s number brings the 3 month average to 222k, the 6 month average to 212k and the 12 month average to 214k. Thus, let’s call it steady state notwithstanding this one month miss,” Peter Boockvar, chief market analyst at The Lindsey Group said in note.
Another data set released Friday was the U.S. trade deficit, which widened in December amid a rising dollar and a weak global demand.
Investors also kept a close eye on oil prices. U.S. crude held near the flatline in late-morning trading, at $31.70 a barrel, after falling more than 2 percent at session lows.
“Anything above $30 will be constructive [for U.S. stocks],” Wunderlich’s Hogan said. However, he also said, if prices broke below the $30 mark, they would weigh on the broader equities market.
U.S. oil rig count data is due Friday at 1 p.m. ET.
WTI in 2016
The dollar rallied on the U.S. jobs report, with the euro falling about 0.5 percent to $1.11, and the yen holding near 117.
U.S. Treasurys fell on the report, pushing the benchmark 10-year yield higher to 1.87 percent. Two-year yields also rose to 0.74 percent.
Gold futures for April delivery dropped $3 to $1,154.50 an ounce. However, USAA’s Espe said long-term “it’s more likely that gold will be much higher relative to the dollar” as equities around the world have entered a bear market.
Read More Early movers: TSN, EL, MCO, KO, LNKD, LGF & more
Investors also digested a new batch of earnings reports, with Tyson Foods, Estee Lauder, Moody’s and Coca-Cola posting quarterly results.
“Both earnings and economic data continue to slow down, and that’s not good for Main Street or Wall Street,” said Adam Sarhan, CEO of Sarhan Capital. “Surprises are happening to the downside — not the upside — and that’s what happens in a bear market.”
However, Glassdoor Chief Economist Andrew Chamberlain said “if we’re going into a recession, the first thing firms will do is stop hiring.”
“There is no evidence of that,” noting that the number of job openings is still high.
“I always feel it’s best to smooth out the monthly gyrations of payroll data and today’s number brings the 3 month average to 222k, the 6 month average to 212k and the 12 month average to 214k. Thus, let’s call it steady state notwithstanding this one month miss,” Peter Boockvar, chief market analyst at The Lindsey Group said in note.
Another data set released Friday was the U.S. trade deficit, which widened in December amid a rising dollar and a weak global demand.
Investors also kept a close eye on oil prices. U.S. crude held near the flatline in late-morning trading, at $31.70 a barrel, after falling more than 2 percent at session lows.
“Anything above $30 will be constructive [for U.S. stocks],” Wunderlich’s Hogan said. However, he also said, if prices broke below the $30 mark, they would weigh on the broader equities market.
U.S. oil rig count data is due Friday at 1 p.m. ET.
WTI in 2016
The dollar rallied on the U.S. jobs report, with the euro falling about 0.5 percent to $1.11, and the yen holding near 117.
U.S. Treasurys fell on the report, pushing the benchmark 10-year yield higher to 1.87 percent. Two-year yields also rose to 0.74 percent.
Gold futures for April delivery dropped $3 to $1,154.50 an ounce. However, USAA’s Espe said long-term “it’s more likely that gold will be much higher relative to the dollar” as equities around the world have entered a bear market.
Read More Early movers: TSN, EL, MCO, KO, LNKD, LGF & more
Investors also digested a new batch of earnings reports, with Tyson Foods, Estee Lauder, Moody’s and Coca-Cola posting quarterly results.
“Both earnings and economic data continue to slow down, and that’s not good for Main Street or Wall Street,” said Adam Sarhan, CEO of Sarhan Capital. “Surprises are happening to the downside — not the upside — and that’s what happens in a bear market.”
The Dow Jones industrial average traded 191 points lower, or 1.2 percent, at 16,227, with Nike leading decliners and Verizon the greatest advancer.
The S&P 500 fell 29 points, or 1.5 percent, to 1,884, with consumer discretionary leading eight sectors lower and telecommunications and utilities the only advancers.
The Nasdaq dropped 120 points, or 2.6 percent, to trade at 4,386.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded above 23.
Decliners were three steps ahead of advancers at the New York Stock Exchange, with an exchange volume of 369 million and a composite volume of 1.73 billion as of 11:36 a.m. ET.
The S&P 500 fell 29 points, or 1.5 percent, to 1,884, with consumer discretionary leading eight sectors lower and telecommunications and utilities the only advancers.
The Nasdaq dropped 120 points, or 2.6 percent, to trade at 4,386.
The CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), widely considered the best gauge of fear in the market, traded above 23.
Decliners were three steps ahead of advancers at the New York Stock Exchange, with an exchange volume of 369 million and a composite volume of 1.73 billion as of 11:36 a.m. ET.
On tap this week:
Friday
1 p.m.: Oil rig count
3 p.m. Consumer credit, Treasury STRIPS
*Planner subject to change.
More From CNBC.com:
Friday
1 p.m.: Oil rig count
3 p.m. Consumer credit, Treasury STRIPS
*Planner subject to change.
More From CNBC.com:
- How student debt hits your retirement
- You can now trade in your broken iPhone
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— Reuters contributed to this report.