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Stocks Surge as Powell Signals Fed Flexibility and Jobs Data Eases Worries Stocks Surge as Powell Signals Fed Flexibility and Jobs Data Eases Worries
(about 1 hour later)
Stocks surged on Friday after the Federal Reserve chairman, Jerome H. Powell, said the central bank’s approach to monetary policy would remain flexible in the face of market turbulence and signs that the global economy is slowing.Stocks surged on Friday after the Federal Reserve chairman, Jerome H. Powell, said the central bank’s approach to monetary policy would remain flexible in the face of market turbulence and signs that the global economy is slowing.
The S&P 500 rose more than 3 percent, while the Nasdaq composite was up more than 4 percent. Stocks were already higher before Mr. Powell’s comments, after Labor Department figures showed robust gains in hiring, but the rally picked up speed as he spoke Friday morning. The S&P 500 rose 3.4 percent, while the Nasdaq composite ended up 4.3 percent. Stocks were already higher before Mr. Powell’s comments, rising off Labor Department figures that showed robust gains in hiring, but the rally picked up speed after he spoke Friday morning.
The Fed’s plans for future interest rate increases have become a concern for investors as stocks have stumbled in recent months. Markets slumped last month after the central bank raised rates and policymakers suggested it would continue on a course of tightening its monetary policy. Mr. Powell, acknowledging the market’s concerns that rising interest rates would dampen the economy, said the central bank could adjust its plans if conditions warrant.The Fed’s plans for future interest rate increases have become a concern for investors as stocks have stumbled in recent months. Markets slumped last month after the central bank raised rates and policymakers suggested it would continue on a course of tightening its monetary policy. Mr. Powell, acknowledging the market’s concerns that rising interest rates would dampen the economy, said the central bank could adjust its plans if conditions warrant.
[Read more about Mr. Powell’s comments.][Read more about Mr. Powell’s comments.]
Stock investors have been looking for fresh evidence about the state of the economy, and on Friday they got a sign that it remains in good health. Employers in the United States added 312,000 jobs last month, well above Wall Street’s expectations and the biggest monthly gain since February.Stock investors have been looking for fresh evidence about the state of the economy, and on Friday they got a sign that it remains in good health. Employers in the United States added 312,000 jobs last month, well above Wall Street’s expectations and the biggest monthly gain since February.
The faint prospect that China and the United States were inching toward a resolution of their trade war also helped lift markets. China’s Commerce Ministry said on Friday that Jeffrey Gerrish, the deputy United States trade representative, would lead a delegation to Beijing for trade talks next week.The faint prospect that China and the United States were inching toward a resolution of their trade war also helped lift markets. China’s Commerce Ministry said on Friday that Jeffrey Gerrish, the deputy United States trade representative, would lead a delegation to Beijing for trade talks next week.
One of the biggest concerns for investors is how much the trade dispute between China and the United States will dent global growth. The meeting next week would be the first between the two sides since President Trump and President Xi Jinping called a 90-day truce in December.One of the biggest concerns for investors is how much the trade dispute between China and the United States will dent global growth. The meeting next week would be the first between the two sides since President Trump and President Xi Jinping called a 90-day truce in December.
China also took steps to bolster its economy on Friday. The People’s Bank of China said it would cut the amount of cash that banks have to hold as reserves against bad times, essentially freeing up about $218 billion.China also took steps to bolster its economy on Friday. The People’s Bank of China said it would cut the amount of cash that banks have to hold as reserves against bad times, essentially freeing up about $218 billion.
[U.S. employers added 312,000 jobs last month, capping a year of robust hiring.][U.S. employers added 312,000 jobs last month, capping a year of robust hiring.]
Reflecting Friday’s optimistic tone, crude oil prices rose and shares of energy companies were among the best performers on the S&P 500. The American benchmark for oil prices climbed above $48 a barrel. Reflecting Friday’s optimistic tone, crude oil prices also rose. The American benchmark for oil prices climbed above $48 a barrel.
Shares in Europe and parts of Asia were also higher. One notable exception among global markets was Japan, where shares fell in the first trading day of the new year. And shares in Europe and parts of Asia were higher. One notable exception among global markets was Japan, where shares fell in the first trading day of the new year.
The wealth management units of several global banks began circulating notes encouraging clients not to panic and highlighting “silver linings” and buying opportunities amid a rout that dragged markets around the world into negative territory last year.The wealth management units of several global banks began circulating notes encouraging clients not to panic and highlighting “silver linings” and buying opportunities amid a rout that dragged markets around the world into negative territory last year.
“There are plenty of looming concerns for investors, from the U.S. government shutdown and vexed trade talks with China, to the potential impact on consumer and business confidence from the recent market volatility,” analysts at the Swiss bank UBS wrote in a note.“There are plenty of looming concerns for investors, from the U.S. government shutdown and vexed trade talks with China, to the potential impact on consumer and business confidence from the recent market volatility,” analysts at the Swiss bank UBS wrote in a note.
“However,” the note continued, “we think markets can rebound and hold an overweight to global stocks.”“However,” the note continued, “we think markets can rebound and hold an overweight to global stocks.”
[Read more about all the economic concerns that sent stocks tumbling on Thursday.][Read more about all the economic concerns that sent stocks tumbling on Thursday.]
In Europe, London’s FTSE 100 was up more than 2.2 percent. The CAC 40 in France gained 2.7 percent, and the Dax in Germany was 3.4 percent higher. In Europe, London’s FTSE 100 gained 2.2 percent. The CAC 40 in France gained 2.7 percent, and the Dax in Germany was 3.4 percent higher.
In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 2.2 percent on Friday. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index gained 2.1 percent. The Shenzhen Composite Index closed 2.7 percent higher.In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index rose 2.2 percent on Friday. In China, the Shanghai Composite Index gained 2.1 percent. The Shenzhen Composite Index closed 2.7 percent higher.
South Korea’s Kospi index gained 0.8 percent. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.3 percent. Taiwan’s Taiex index fell 1.2 percent.South Korea’s Kospi index gained 0.8 percent. Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.3 percent. Taiwan’s Taiex index fell 1.2 percent.