Markets Gear Up For Nonfarm Payrolls

 | Oct 07, 2022 05:06AM ET

All eyes turn to this afternoon’s NFP (nonfarm payrolls) figures which are predicted to slightly decline to 265,000 and for the unemployment rate to remain at 3.7%.

Many analysts believe that next week will be a “make or break” for both the US Dollar and, even more so, the US stock market. USD may find support if the NFP figure, Unemployment Rate, and Average Hourly Earnings remain positive without major declines.

However, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) scheduled for next Thursday will most likely be a more influential event. Most economists believe that the CPI figure for September will remain in the positive zone.

It is predicted that the monthly inflation will be at 0.2%. A figure higher than 0.2% will be extremely negative for the US stock market but provide support for the US Dollar. Whereas, if the CPI is under 0.0%, it will bring the US inflation rate below 8% for the first time since February 2022.

So, if employment figures remain positive with inflation failing to decline, it may lead to a more restrictive Federal Reserve. In this scenario, investors may even consider a potential 100 basis point rate hike, but this entirely depends on the figures to be announced later today.

h2 European Equities/h2

European indices start the day in the red with DAX declining by 0.31%, the CAC 40 by 0.15%, and the Euro Stoxx 50 by 0.47%. European stocks started the week strong but are under pressure from 3 major factors. First, economic releases indicated a significant slowdown in most European states except France.