It was Jobs Friday in North America with both the US and Canada releasing there January employment reports. For the US, the January non farm jobs for the month came in weaker than expected, with non-farm payrolls increasing by 143K compared to the 170K expected. However, there were positive revisions to the previous two months, adding +100K jobs.
Key highlights include:
In summary, while headline payrolls disappointed, the decline in the unemployment rate, upward revisions, and strong wage growth offset some of the weakness. The report presents mixed signals, but it leans positive overall indicative of a solid jobs market.
Meanwhile, the Canada jobs report for January significantly outperformed expectations, with employment rising by 76K (vs. 25K estimate), marking the third consecutive monthly gain after December's revised increase of +91K and November's +44K.
Employment Change: +76K (vs. +25K expected), third consecutive monthly gain after December’s revised +91K and November’s +44K.Unemployment Rate: Fell to 6.6% (vs. 6.8% expected, 6.7% prior).Participation Rate: Increased to 65.5% (from 65.1% last month).Full-Time Employment: +35.2K (vs. revised +171.8K in December).Part-Time Employment: +40.9K (vs. revised +7.1K in December).Wage Growth: Average hourly wages up +3.5% YoY, the slowest since April 2022:Permanent employees: +3.7% YoY.Temporary employees: +2.5% YoY.Sector Highlights:Manufacturing: +33K (+1.8%).Professional, Scientific & Technical Services: +22K (+1.1%).Construction: +19K (+1.2%).Accommodation & Food Services: +15K (+1.3%).Transportation & Warehousing: +13K (+1.2%).Agriculture: +10K (+4.4%).Other Services: -14K (-1.8%).Private Sector Jobs: +57K (+0.4%) in January; +215K (+1.6%) YoY.Public Sector Jobs: Little changed in January; +107K (+2.4%) YoY.Self-Employment: +27K (+1.0%) in January; +94K (+3.6%) YoY.This report reflects a broad-based strengthening of Canada’s labor market with robust gains across sectors.
Later at 10 AM, the Univ. of Michigan consumer sentiment numbers were released and showed weakness in the overall index, the current and the expectations. In addition, the 1 year inflation expectation showed a sharp move higher to 4.3% from 3.3%. That was the highest reading since 4.4% in November 2023.
Consumer Sentiment Index: Fell to 67.8 (vs. 71.1 expected), the lowest since July 2024; prior was 71.1.Current Conditions: Dropped to 68.7 (vs. 73.0 expected).Expectations Index: Declined to 67.3 (vs. 70.0 expected).Inflation Expectations (1-year): Rose sharply to 4.3% (vs. 3.3% prior), the highest since November 2023.Inflation Expectations (5-year): Increased slightly to 3.3% (vs. 3.2% prior), signaling stable long-term expectations.Broad Sentiment Decline: Declines were observed across Republicans, Independents, and Democrats, reflecting pervasive concerns.Key Concern: Many consumers worry that high inflation will return within the next year, influenced by recent tariff fears.Timing of Survey: Interviews concluded on February 4, just after the latest round of tariff disputes ended, potentially impacting sentiment.Implication: Will the White House ease tariff-related rhetoric? Later we learned that recipricol tariffs would be announced next week.In addition to the economic news, Pres Trump and Japan PM Ishiba met in Washington for the first time. President Trump highlighted several key initiatives during the discussions.
He emphasized plans to double U.S. defense spending by 2027 and announced the approval of $1 billion in foreign military sales to Japan. On energy, he discussed the new shipments of American liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Japan and stressed the need to reduce the U.S.-Japan trade deficit, suggesting that it could be achieved through increased oil and gas exports. Trump also mentioned new auto plants opening by Japan in the US and a potential investment by Nippon Steel in U.S. Steel versus the purchase of the company. He underscored the importance of staying on the cutting edge of artificial intelligence and strengthening the U.S. military to be the strongest globally.Trump expressed excitement about talks with Ishiba regarding a potential pipeline project in Alaska.During the press conference,
He also announced upcoming discussions on reciprocal tariffs, with an announcement or news conference expected early next week.Prime Minister Ishiba
Described the U.S.-Japan relationship as entering a "Golden Age" and reaffirmed Japan's commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. He confirmed Japan's plans to increase LNG imports from the U.S. and expressed interest in purchasing ethanol and ammonia. On defense, Ishiba stressed Japan’s responsibility to enhance its own capabilities while collaborating with the U.S. toward the denuclearization of North Korea. He also supported the idea of mutually beneficial tariffs and highlighted a $1 trillion Japanese investment in the U.S., noting its benefits for both nations. Ishiba clarified that Nippon Steel’s investment in U.S. Steel was not an acquisition but a significant financial commitment.In the markets, the USD was mostly higher with the largest USD gains vs the CHF (+0.54%) and the EUR (+0.52%). The greenback did fall modestly vs the JPY (-0.03%) and the CAD after their strong job report too (-0.14%).
For the week, the USD moved sharply higher at the start of the week on the Canada and Mexico tariff news. Those tariffs got a reprieve for 30 days, and the USD moved lower. How did the dollar do vs the major currencies for the week?
The USD was mostly lower vs. the major currencies with the exception of the EUR. The greeback was the weakest vs the JPY (-2.44%) and the JPY (-1.57%). :
EUR, +0.27%JPY, -2.447%GBP, -0.07%CHF, -0.14%CAD, -1.57%AUD, -0.88%NZD, -0.47%US major indices were all today on the concerns of tariffs and inflation. The declines of -1% to -1.30% took the major indices lower for the week as well.
For the trading day:
Dow industrial average -444.23 points, or -0.90% at 44303.40S&P index -57.58 points or -0.95% at 6025.99NASDAQ index -268.59 points or -1.36% at 19523.40Russell 2000-27.41 points or -1.19% at 2279.70For the trading week, the declines today turn the major indices lower for the second consecutive week:
Dow industrial average fell -0.54%S&P -0.24%NASDAQ index -0.53%Russell 2000-0.35%In the US debt market today, yields moved higher:
2 year 4.291%, +8.3 basis points5-year 4.346%, +7.4 basis points10 year 4.494%, +5.7 basis points30 year 4.693%, +4.7 basis pointsFor the trading week, the yield curve flattened with the 2-year up 8.4 basis points, while the 10 year decreased -4.8 basis points
2-year, +8.4 basis points5-year, +1.4 basis points10 year, -4.8 basis points30 year, -10.1 basis points basis pointslooking at the yield curve spreads:
The 2-10 year spread flattened by -13.2 basis points to 20.4 basis points from 33.6 last week. The 2-30 year spread flattened by -18.4 basis points to 40.1 basis points from 58.7 last week This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com. Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Forexlive Americas FX news wrap 7 Feb: US jobs remains solid.Inflation expectations rise )
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