Is Soft Economic Data a Reason to Buy Stocks?
What’s in Today’s Report:
- An Easing of the Labor Market Is a Good Thing, But Be Careful What You Wish For…
- Jobless Claims vs. the S&P 500 – An Ominous Chart
- JOLTS Takeaways
- Consumer Confidence Shows Measurable Deterioration in Current Family Financial Situations: Chart
Futures are slightly lower this morning as yesterday’s sizeable rally in the S&P 500 is digested ahead of more domestic jobs data while global markets were mixed overnight.
In Asia, PBOC officials met with leaders from the private sector regarding stimulus and development, but so far, government efforts have been underwhelming and Chinese markets ended little changed.
In Europe, some regional German inflation statistics came in hot, buoying government bond yields this morning which could weigh on equities if the trend continues into the U.S. session.
Today, focus will be on economic data early with the ADP Employment Report (E: 200K) and GDP report (E: 2.4%) due out ahead of the bell while Pending Home Sales (E: -0.4%) will be released shortly after the open.
There are no Fed speakers today, so investors will be looking for more evidence that supports a continued pause in the Fed’s rate hiking cycle (or peak rates already being in) and ultimately a soft landing. Anything that contradicts that narrative will be a headwind on equities and other risk assets today.
