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US jobs data shows surprise fall Markets fall after dip in US jobs
(40 minutes later)
US employers have cut back on jobs for the first time in four years, Labor Department figures for August reveal. Global stock markets have fallen sharply after US employers cut back on jobs for the first time in four years.
The Department of Labor said 4,000 jobs were cut in August, pushing the Dow Jones index down 214 points to 13,149 in Friday morning trading in New York. The surprise 4,000 reduction in the US workforce in August sent the main Dow Jones index down 211 points to 13,153 by early afternoon in New York.
Market alarm spread because economists had anticipated data showing an increase of 110,000 jobs. Analysts fear the job cuts show that the recent market turmoil has spread to the wider US economy.
The statistics undermined those hopes and confirmed that recent turmoil in the financial markets is hitting jobs. European shares were also down, with London's FTSE 100 falling 122 points, while Germany's Dax lost 185 points.
Financial services firms are already laying off staff in the wake of the sub-prime mortgage debacle. The August figure from the Department of Labor came as a surprise, because economists had anticipated data showing an increase of 110,000 jobs.
Yet as evidence of a credit squeeze continues in financial markets - sparked by the downturn in the US sub-prime mortgage sector - some financial services firms have already been laying off employees.
Hirings falterHirings falter
The Department of Labor also cut its estimates for the number of new employees hired in June and July by a total of 81,000.The Department of Labor also cut its estimates for the number of new employees hired in June and July by a total of 81,000.
It's dreadful...it seems to me almost inevitable we're heading for recession Analyst Michael Metz It's dreadful... it seems to me almost inevitable we're heading for recession Analyst Michael Metz
The last time the US economy shed jobs was in August 2003 when the total number employed fell by 42,000.The last time the US economy shed jobs was in August 2003 when the total number employed fell by 42,000.
The figures come in the wake of former Federal Reserve Bank boss Alan Greenspan comparing current market conditions to those preceding earlier crashes.The figures come in the wake of former Federal Reserve Bank boss Alan Greenspan comparing current market conditions to those preceding earlier crashes.
Michael Metz, chief investment strategist at Oppenheimer & Co in New York, reacted to the latest employment figures with gloom.Michael Metz, chief investment strategist at Oppenheimer & Co in New York, reacted to the latest employment figures with gloom.
"It's dreadful...it seems to me almost inevitable we're heading for recession", Mr Metz said. "It's dreadful... it seems to me almost inevitable we're heading for recession," Mr Metz said.
The figures will add to pressure on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.The figures will add to pressure on the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates.
Fed chairman Ben Bernanke has stated that he is prepared to act to prevent credit difficulties sparked by the sub-prime crisis from damaging the US economy.Fed chairman Ben Bernanke has stated that he is prepared to act to prevent credit difficulties sparked by the sub-prime crisis from damaging the US economy.
Record mortgage defaultsRecord mortgage defaults
The US sub-prime mortgage sector concerns higher risk loans to people with poor credit histories or those on low incomes.The US sub-prime mortgage sector concerns higher risk loans to people with poor credit histories or those on low incomes.
Higher mortgage rates over the past year have meant record levels of defaults in the industry.Higher mortgage rates over the past year have meant record levels of defaults in the industry.
The result has not only been significant financial difficulty for banks and investment firms heavily exposed to the sub-prime market, but also the recent stock market turmoil.The result has not only been significant financial difficulty for banks and investment firms heavily exposed to the sub-prime market, but also the recent stock market turmoil.
This is because of fears that the crunch in the sub-prime sector will spread to the wider loans market as banks become far more cautious about whom they lend to.This is because of fears that the crunch in the sub-prime sector will spread to the wider loans market as banks become far more cautious about whom they lend to.
The situation has been exacerbated by the fact that sub-prime debt is often resold as part of a wider debt package, meaning that banks and investors are, as yet, unsure about how far the sub-prime downturn could spread.The situation has been exacerbated by the fact that sub-prime debt is often resold as part of a wider debt package, meaning that banks and investors are, as yet, unsure about how far the sub-prime downturn could spread.