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US economy created 227,000 new jobs in January, as jobless rate rises to 4.8% - live updates US economy created 227,000 new jobs in January, as jobless rate rises to 4.8% - live updates
(about 1 hour later)
5.41pm GMT
17:41
President Trump’s action on financial regulation is imminent it seems:
US Pres Sec. Spicer: Trump To Sign Executive Action On Dodd Frank Around 18:00 GMT
4.29pm GMT4.29pm GMT
16:2916:29
Oil prices are higher as the US unveiled a number of new sanctions on various companies and individuals following a recent missile test. Reuters reports:Oil prices are higher as the US unveiled a number of new sanctions on various companies and individuals following a recent missile test. Reuters reports:
The United States on Friday sanctioned 13 individuals and 12 entities under its Iran sanctions authority, days after the White House put Tehran “on notice” over a ballistic missile test and other activities.The United States on Friday sanctioned 13 individuals and 12 entities under its Iran sanctions authority, days after the White House put Tehran “on notice” over a ballistic missile test and other activities.
In a statement on its website, the U.S. Treasury listed the sanctioned individuals and entities, some of which are based in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and China.In a statement on its website, the U.S. Treasury listed the sanctioned individuals and entities, some of which are based in the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and China.
The move is the first against Iran since U.S. President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20. The sanctions were similar to actions taken by the Obama administration targeting Iran’s ballistic missile network.The move is the first against Iran since U.S. President Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20. The sanctions were similar to actions taken by the Obama administration targeting Iran’s ballistic missile network.
The new designations stuck to areas that remain under sanctions even with the 2015 nuclear deal in place, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s ballistic missile program.The new designations stuck to areas that remain under sanctions even with the 2015 nuclear deal in place, such as the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s ballistic missile program.
“Today’s action is part of Treasury’s ongoing efforts to counterIranian malign activity abroad that is outside the scope of the JCPOA,” Treasury said, a reference to the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.“Today’s action is part of Treasury’s ongoing efforts to counterIranian malign activity abroad that is outside the scope of the JCPOA,” Treasury said, a reference to the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers.
Among those sanctioned on Friday were companies, individuals, and brokers the U.S. Treasury said support a trade network run by an Iranian businessman, Abdollah Asgharzadeh.Among those sanctioned on Friday were companies, individuals, and brokers the U.S. Treasury said support a trade network run by an Iranian businessman, Abdollah Asgharzadeh.
The news has seen Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate climb around 1%.The news has seen Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate climb around 1%.
3.45pm GMT3.45pm GMT
15:4515:45
There is a fine line to tread when making changes to Dodd-Franks, said Jasper Lawler, senior market analyst at London Capital Group:There is a fine line to tread when making changes to Dodd-Franks, said Jasper Lawler, senior market analyst at London Capital Group:
Reports that Donald Trump is preparing to scale back financial regulations in the US is a boon for multinational ‘megabanks’ which have seen profits drop since the heady days before the 2008 financial crisis.Reports that Donald Trump is preparing to scale back financial regulations in the US is a boon for multinational ‘megabanks’ which have seen profits drop since the heady days before the 2008 financial crisis.
Shares of Visa, Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan were all atop the US benchmark. There was observable shareholder glee that an era of ever-expanding regulation could be coming to an end under Donald Trump.Shares of Visa, Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan were all atop the US benchmark. There was observable shareholder glee that an era of ever-expanding regulation could be coming to an end under Donald Trump.
Since Dodd Frank was introduced, banks have devoted a lot more capital towards compliance and have had to decrease leverage, both of which are a direct hit to profitability. If Dodd Frank is watered down, that’s a direct boost to the bottom line for banks.Since Dodd Frank was introduced, banks have devoted a lot more capital towards compliance and have had to decrease leverage, both of which are a direct hit to profitability. If Dodd Frank is watered down, that’s a direct boost to the bottom line for banks.
The changes to Dodd Frank are likely to be small to begin with but Trump is shifting the direction of travel from more regulation to less regulation. That’s a good thing for the financial sector, and less red tape is good for corporate America as a whole. Trump turning his attention to deregulation could be just the boost Wall Street needs to send the Dow back above the 20,000 mark.The changes to Dodd Frank are likely to be small to begin with but Trump is shifting the direction of travel from more regulation to less regulation. That’s a good thing for the financial sector, and less red tape is good for corporate America as a whole. Trump turning his attention to deregulation could be just the boost Wall Street needs to send the Dow back above the 20,000 mark.
Too much regulation favours the large institutions who can afford the extra compliance costs.Too much regulation favours the large institutions who can afford the extra compliance costs.
Unwinding some of Dodd Frank is a good thing because it will enable smaller community banks to compete, offering competition to consumers.Unwinding some of Dodd Frank is a good thing because it will enable smaller community banks to compete, offering competition to consumers.
Repealing too much of Dodd Frank puts the entire system at risk of a repeat of 2008. The red line is the Volker rule; if the big banks can engage in proprietary trading, then depositors will be put at much greater risk.Repealing too much of Dodd Frank puts the entire system at risk of a repeat of 2008. The red line is the Volker rule; if the big banks can engage in proprietary trading, then depositors will be put at much greater risk.
3.25pm GMT3.25pm GMT
15:2515:25
President Trump is meeting with business leaders and it appears the plans for the financial sector are on the agenda:President Trump is meeting with business leaders and it appears the plans for the financial sector are on the agenda:
US Pres. Trump: To Discuss Dodd-Frank, Banking Industry With Business Council Members - RTRSUS Pres. Trump: To Discuss Dodd-Frank, Banking Industry With Business Council Members - RTRS
3.13pm GMT3.13pm GMT
15:1315:13
Unlike the Markit survey, another report on the services sector has come in below expectations, although still showing a strong performance.Unlike the Markit survey, another report on the services sector has come in below expectations, although still showing a strong performance.
The ISM non-manufactuing PMI was 56.5 in January, virtually flat on the 56.6 recorded the previous month and slightly below expectations of a figure of 57.The ISM non-manufactuing PMI was 56.5 in January, virtually flat on the 56.6 recorded the previous month and slightly below expectations of a figure of 57.
Meanwhile factory orders in December rose by 1.3% compared to estimates of a 1% increase, and a 2.3% fall in November.Meanwhile factory orders in December rose by 1.3% compared to estimates of a 1% increase, and a 2.3% fall in November.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.13pm GMTat 3.13pm GMT
3.07pm GMT3.07pm GMT
15:0715:07
Back with the Dow, and it is clear that the financial sector is on the rise thanks to the idea that Donald Trump will row back on regulation:Back with the Dow, and it is clear that the financial sector is on the rise thanks to the idea that Donald Trump will row back on regulation:
2.53pm GMT2.53pm GMT
14:5314:53
US service sector beats expectationsUS service sector beats expectations
The first of two surveys of the US service sector has shown a better than expected performance last month.The first of two surveys of the US service sector has shown a better than expected performance last month.
The Markit service sector PMI for January came in at 55.6 compared to an initial estimate of 55.1 and December’s figure of 53.9. This was the highest reading since November 2015.The Markit service sector PMI for January came in at 55.6 compared to an initial estimate of 55.1 and December’s figure of 53.9. This was the highest reading since November 2015.
The Markit Composite index, which includes services and manufacturing, was 55.8, up from 54.1 in December. Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit said:The Markit Composite index, which includes services and manufacturing, was 55.8, up from 54.1 in December. Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit said:
The US economy has started 2017 on the front foot. Business activity across the economy is growing at the fastest rate for over a year and optimism about the business outlook has risen to the highest for a year and a half.The US economy has started 2017 on the front foot. Business activity across the economy is growing at the fastest rate for over a year and optimism about the business outlook has risen to the highest for a year and a half.
The January surveys signal annualized GDP growth of approximately 2.5%, setting the scene for a solid first quarter. With January seeing the largest inflow of new business for 18 months, there’s good reason to believe that firms will be even busier in coming months.The January surveys signal annualized GDP growth of approximately 2.5%, setting the scene for a solid first quarter. With January seeing the largest inflow of new business for 18 months, there’s good reason to believe that firms will be even busier in coming months.
Even more encouraging is the ongoing impressive rate of job creation, with the January PMI numbers comparable to around 200,000 jobs being added.Even more encouraging is the ongoing impressive rate of job creation, with the January PMI numbers comparable to around 200,000 jobs being added.
A waning of price pressures takes some heat off the Fed, though the sustained strong output and jobs growth signalled by the surveys will fuel speculation that the next rate hike will be sooner rather than later, with June looking most likely.A waning of price pressures takes some heat off the Fed, though the sustained strong output and jobs growth signalled by the surveys will fuel speculation that the next rate hike will be sooner rather than later, with June looking most likely.
2.44pm GMT2.44pm GMT
14:4414:44
Wall Street opens higherWall Street opens higher
US markers are on the rise after the better than expected headline jobs figure, with financial companies also benefitting from the prospect of looser regulation if Donald Trump scraps the Dodd-Frank legislation.US markers are on the rise after the better than expected headline jobs figure, with financial companies also benefitting from the prospect of looser regulation if Donald Trump scraps the Dodd-Frank legislation.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently up 96 points or 0.48% while the S&P 500 opened 0.4% higher and the Nasdaq Composite 0.26% better.The Dow Jones Industrial Average is currently up 96 points or 0.48% while the S&P 500 opened 0.4% higher and the Nasdaq Composite 0.26% better.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.45pm GMTat 2.45pm GMT
2.15pm GMT2.15pm GMT
14:1514:15
The mixed picture from the non-farm figures - positive jobs numbers, weaker than expected wages growth - also saw some volatility in the currency markets as traders tried to work out the implications for US interest rates. Kathleen Brooks, research director at City Index, said:The mixed picture from the non-farm figures - positive jobs numbers, weaker than expected wages growth - also saw some volatility in the currency markets as traders tried to work out the implications for US interest rates. Kathleen Brooks, research director at City Index, said:
The dollar initially reacted positively, however, within minutes the dollar index backed off highs as the foreign exchange market took stock of some of the weaker elements of the report. US stock market futures moved higher and are predicting a stronger open for the Dow, S&P and Nasdaq. However, the bond market was less impressed, and US treasury yields fell across the curve, the two-year yield is currently down 5 basis points, which could weigh on the buck further on Friday.The dollar initially reacted positively, however, within minutes the dollar index backed off highs as the foreign exchange market took stock of some of the weaker elements of the report. US stock market futures moved higher and are predicting a stronger open for the Dow, S&P and Nasdaq. However, the bond market was less impressed, and US treasury yields fell across the curve, the two-year yield is currently down 5 basis points, which could weigh on the buck further on Friday.
We don’t think that today’s non-farm payrolls report, on its own, will be a game changer for the Fed, and the market is still pricing in the prospect of another rate hike from the Fed by mid-year; after all wage growth at 2.5% is still above the Fed’s target inflation rate. However, we will be watching the development of wages, which are a key metric for the Federal Reserve going forward. If they don’t pick up again for February then Federal Reserve rate hike expectations may start to get pushed further out to the second half of 2017, which could limit dollar upside in the medium term.We don’t think that today’s non-farm payrolls report, on its own, will be a game changer for the Fed, and the market is still pricing in the prospect of another rate hike from the Fed by mid-year; after all wage growth at 2.5% is still above the Fed’s target inflation rate. However, we will be watching the development of wages, which are a key metric for the Federal Reserve going forward. If they don’t pick up again for February then Federal Reserve rate hike expectations may start to get pushed further out to the second half of 2017, which could limit dollar upside in the medium term.
2.14pm GMT2.14pm GMT
14:1414:14
The yield, or interest rate, on US government bonds has fallen since the jobs report came out.The yield, or interest rate, on US government bonds has fallen since the jobs report came out.
Traders are betting that the weak wage growth last month means the Fed is even less likely to raise interest rates in March.Traders are betting that the weak wage growth last month means the Fed is even less likely to raise interest rates in March.
Expectations for March Fed hike drop to 12%, from 20%.(via @pattidomm) @CNBCExpectations for March Fed hike drop to 12%, from 20%.(via @pattidomm) @CNBC
Free headline: Trump Trade Trounced pic.twitter.com/4ykYwBJXszFree headline: Trump Trade Trounced pic.twitter.com/4ykYwBJXsz
2.09pm GMT
14:09
US jobs report: What the experts say
Wall Street and City economists broadly agree that today’s US jobs report shows America’s economy remains robust, although the mediocre wage growth is a disappointment.
Andrew Hunter of Capital Economics:
The 227,000 rise in non-farm payrolls in January suggests that the labour market started the year on a reasonably solid footing. However, the drop back in annual wage growth is another reason to think the Fed will hold off raising interest rates until June.
Kully Samra, Charles Schwab U.K. Managing Director:
“Today’s jobs numbers coupled with most other economic data points this week demonstrate the ongoing resilience and strength of the US economy.
The figures also corroborate the findings of the Atlanta Fed Wage Growth Tracker, which has generally continued on an upward trend over the last quarter. This is a further indicator of both momentum in the wider domestic economy and that a tighter job market is boosting job security and overall pay.
“Weekly jobless claims remain near a multi-decade low and appear healthy enough to keep the low unemployment rate intact. A strong job market, inflection points in the wider economic data and corporate earnings, alongside increased consumer and business confidence, should be a cause for optimism amongst investors in US equities.”
Naeem Aslam of Think Markets:
The US NFP data has confirmed that the lavish party in the employment sector is still somewhat solid, especially if you look at the headline number. You can say that it was a super solid number because it was well ahead of expectations. This week we had a number disappointing news with respect to what traders were expecting, for instance, the Bank of England’s event.
It is not all good news when it comes to the US jobs number because if you peel the layers, it shows that the downside surprise is in the wage report and a lot of disappointment there. We still need to see more readings before we can see that there is a trend because this number is full with noise.
There is no doubt that the hourly wage growth has gathered the most momentum recently and fuelled this concern among traders that the Fed is behind the curve, while inflation is picking up steam. Clearly, today’s number has put cold water on that. Moreover, if you are interested in a rate hike, then clearly you need to know that the Fed cannot move until they have a clear idea what the fiscal spending will be and that is the reality which market needs to digest.
Justin Wolfers of University of Michigan.
Bottom line: Jobs numbers confirm the US economy is still motoring along nicely at a good clip—fast enough to keep pushing unemployment down
The big question remains how much slack remains in the labor market, and how many folks we can pull back into the labor force.
Tanweer Akram of Thrivent
Continued improvement in the labor market in the U.S. strengthens the case of the Fed remaining on course to gradually tighten monetary policy in the coming months. Even though last month’s job growth was strong, the FOMC will be cautious in tightening monetary policy because of considerable uncertainty about economic policy and global conditions.
A key challenge for the new administration will be to lift growth in both workers’ compensation and labor productivity. Infrastructure spending, lower taxes, business friendly attitude, and more streamlined regulations would be beneficial to the economy. However, higher tariffs, restrictive immigration policies, protectionism, lack of action on global climate change, and various erratic policies would be harmful.
Richard de Meo, Managing Director of Foenix Partners.
Today’s Non Farms print was as strong as last month’s was disappointing, yet the reflex dollar rally was quickly given back as traders cast their eyes through the detail of an underwhelming overall jobs report.
Seasonal challenges relating to January data should be taken into account, yet the fall in average earnings to 0.1% and a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.8% might cause a slight stir across the FOMC, who just this week expressed their comfort with the labour sector. A binary assessment of upcoming Fed decisions would point to a minimal but negative impact to rate expectations, yet the stronger message to emerge is that US businesses confidence is on the rise and, in the process, already helping Trump towards his 4% GDP target.
2.06pm GMT
14:06
I’ve grabbed some nice charts off Bloomberg TV, showing how today’s jobs report compared to Wall Street’s forecasts....
...and also showing how wage growth dipped:
1.50pm GMT
13:50
Here’s our US business editor, Dominic Rushe, on today’s jobs report:
The US added 227,000 new jobs in January, the last month of the Obama presidency and the first of Donald Trump’s, the Department of Labor announced on Friday.
The closely watched figure was the best since last June and comes after Trump won the election promising jobs growth and pushing US companies to employ American citizens, threatening to tax imports of goods made outside US borders.
However, the report also highlights the struggle ahead for Trump and underlines Obama’s record on job creation. January marked the 76th consecutive month of job gains, the best on record. And the unemployment rate, at 4.8%, is in line with the Federal Reserve’s estimate for a normal job market.
Trump was a harsh critic of the government’s monthly job’s report during the election campaign. He claimed that 5% unemployment was “one of the biggest hoaxes in modern politics.” In August 2015, Trump told Time magazine that the real unemployment rate was 42%, at the time the Labor Department reading was 5.1%.
Here’s the full story:
1.48pm GMT
13:48
Another reason to be worried about US earnings:
"Over the year, average hourly earnings rose by 2.5% in January, compared with 2.9% year over year last month." - @WSJecon
1.48pm GMT
13:48
Here’s some instant reaction, first from bond trading magnate Bill Gross:
"I suppose it's good for corp, profits", says Gross @BloombergRadio. But ultimately it's the consumer drives the economy. YoY wage revision
This is from James Pethokoukis of the American Enterprise Institute:
So strongish January jobs report, 227,000 jobs. Labor participation, emp-pop both up 0.2 - though an * b/c of population adjustment
Bloomberg’s Joe Weisenthal suggests there’s little pressure on the US central bank to hike rates fast.
Key thing about this report is modest wage growth and jump in LFPR suggest no reason for the Fed to accelerate its hike schedule.
Economist Shaun Richards points out that wage growth is still modest, even though the US economy is creating more jobs.
The theme of employment growth with wage growth underperforming just repeats and repeats in the credit crunch era doesn't it? #NFP
1.43pm GMT
13:43
America’s labour force participation rate, which measures everyone working or available for work, has risen to 62.9% from 62.7%.
That implies that some economically inactive people started looking for work again last month (and is one reason the jobless rate rose to 4.8%).
Labor Force Participation Rate rises from 62.7% to 62.9% pic.twitter.com/yae7COyB1q
1.41pm GMT
13:41
The number of Americans who would like to work more hours went up last month.
The U6 rate, which measure unemployment and underemployment, has risen to 9.4% from 9.2%.
U3 Unemployment Rate 4.8% vs 4.7% exp/prev.U6 UER 9.4% vs 9.2% prev.Avg Hourly Earnings +2.5% YoY vs 2.7% exp/2.9% prev.
1.35pm GMT
13:35
November’s jobs report has been revised, to show that only 164,000 new jobs were created, not 204,000 as first thought.
December’s data has been revised up by 1,000, to 157,000.
1.34pm GMT
13:34
The wages figure is a disappointment!
Average earnings only rose by 0.1% month-on-month in January, dashing hopes of a 0.3% gain.
Average hour earnings up 0.1% in January vs. 0.3% expectations. YOY wages up 2.5% #JobsReport https://t.co/DClcu4FCnl
1.33pm GMT
13:33
America’s jobless rate has risen to 4.8%, from 4.7% in December.