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US non-farm payrolls disappoint in September with fewer jobs added - business live Flash crash in the pound spooks investors - as it happened
(35 minutes later)
3.19pm BST
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Closing summary: a dramatic day for the pound
The day began with news of a flash crash in the value of the pound against the dollar in Asian trading.
The pound plunged from about $1.26 to $1.18 in the space of two minutes.
And no one knows why.
Before we close up for the day, here is a summary of the main developments:
Thank you for reading the blog and for all your comments. The latest developments throughout the rest of the day will be here. Have a great weekend. AM
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US markets are slightly down in early trading:US markets are slightly down in early trading:
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I’ve announced that the sale of the public’s stake in Lloyds will restart shortly https://t.co/oWV2HJxituI’ve announced that the sale of the public’s stake in Lloyds will restart shortly https://t.co/oWV2HJxitu
Returning Lloyds to the private sector is the right thing to do & our plan will get back all the cash taxpayers invested in it.Returning Lloyds to the private sector is the right thing to do & our plan will get back all the cash taxpayers invested in it.
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Government announces Lloyds sell-offGovernment announces Lloyds sell-off
While the non-farms were being published in the US, the UK government announced it is going to sell its remaining 9.1% stake in Lloyds Banking Group directly into the stock market.While the non-farms were being published in the US, the UK government announced it is going to sell its remaining 9.1% stake in Lloyds Banking Group directly into the stock market.
This means it is abandoning George Osborne’s plan to offer the public cut price shares.This means it is abandoning George Osborne’s plan to offer the public cut price shares.
From Washington, the chancellor, Philip Hammond, said:From Washington, the chancellor, Philip Hammond, said:
Returning Lloyds to the private sector is in the interests of the bank, taxpayers and the country as a whole. That is why exiting our stake in Lloyds in an orderly way and at the best possible price is one of my top priorities as chancellor.Returning Lloyds to the private sector is in the interests of the bank, taxpayers and the country as a whole. That is why exiting our stake in Lloyds in an orderly way and at the best possible price is one of my top priorities as chancellor.
I have listened to the experts. Ongoing market volatility means it is not the right time for a retail offer.I have listened to the experts. Ongoing market volatility means it is not the right time for a retail offer.
Our plan will get back all the cash taxpayers invested in Lloyds during the financial crisis and leave the bank in a better place to continue the crucial role it plays in supporting individuals, families and businesses up and down the UK.Our plan will get back all the cash taxpayers invested in Lloyds during the financial crisis and leave the bank in a better place to continue the crucial role it plays in supporting individuals, families and businesses up and down the UK.
It seems that Hammond’s aim is to get rid of the government’s stake in the bank over the next 12 months.It seems that Hammond’s aim is to get rid of the government’s stake in the bank over the next 12 months.
It looks like shares will be sold below the 73.6p average price at which taxpayers bought a 43% stake in the bank for £20.3bn at the time of the 2008 crisis. The shares are trading around 53p.It looks like shares will be sold below the 73.6p average price at which taxpayers bought a 43% stake in the bank for £20.3bn at the time of the 2008 crisis. The shares are trading around 53p.
The Treasury says that overall it will not make a loss because it has already raised about £16.9bn from previous sell-offs of Lloyds shares.The Treasury says that overall it will not make a loss because it has already raised about £16.9bn from previous sell-offs of Lloyds shares.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.43pm BSTat 2.43pm BST
2.28pm BST2.28pm BST
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The US non-farm payrolls in charts...The US non-farm payrolls in charts...
There were 156,000 jobs added in September, lower than the monthly average of 178,000 so far this year:There were 156,000 jobs added in September, lower than the monthly average of 178,000 so far this year:
The US unemployment rate picked up to 5% in September from 4.9% in August:The US unemployment rate picked up to 5% in September from 4.9% in August:
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Here is the full story on non-farm payrolls from the Guardian’s Jana Kasperkevic in New York:Here is the full story on non-farm payrolls from the Guardian’s Jana Kasperkevic in New York:
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Rob Carnell, ING’s chief international economist, appears underwhelmed by the US non-farm payrolls report for August, which he describes as “neither here nor there”.Rob Carnell, ING’s chief international economist, appears underwhelmed by the US non-farm payrolls report for August, which he describes as “neither here nor there”.
He says that the report does not rule out a US rate rise in December.He says that the report does not rule out a US rate rise in December.
Reasonable, but not great payrolls, an uptick in the unemployment rate, and softish wages growth – but still good enough to keep thoughts of a December rate hike alive – pending the market reaction to the presidential election, and further adequate labour reports.Reasonable, but not great payrolls, an uptick in the unemployment rate, and softish wages growth – but still good enough to keep thoughts of a December rate hike alive – pending the market reaction to the presidential election, and further adequate labour reports.
Markets will see nothing in this report to encourage thoughts of a November Fed rate hike – most forecasters still expect the Fed to hike in December, and this release is good enough, without being particularly good, to keep such expectations firm.Markets will see nothing in this report to encourage thoughts of a November Fed rate hike – most forecasters still expect the Fed to hike in December, and this release is good enough, without being particularly good, to keep such expectations firm.
Carnell flags up the key dates in the run-up to the Fed’s December rate decision:Carnell flags up the key dates in the run-up to the Fed’s December rate decision:
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The weaker-than-expected 156,000 rise in non-farm payrolls in September was weaker than the average monthly jobs growth of 178,000 so far this year.The weaker-than-expected 156,000 rise in non-farm payrolls in September was weaker than the average monthly jobs growth of 178,000 so far this year.
The biggest single driver behind new jobs last month was the professional and business services sector, up 67,000.The biggest single driver behind new jobs last month was the professional and business services sector, up 67,000.
There were also rises in healthcare jobs, retail, and the food and drink sectors.There were also rises in healthcare jobs, retail, and the food and drink sectors.
But employment in other major industries, including manufacturing, construction, logistics and government were little changed.But employment in other major industries, including manufacturing, construction, logistics and government were little changed.
1.37pm BST1.37pm BST
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US jobless rate rises unexpectedlyUS jobless rate rises unexpectedly
The September jobs report from the US Labor Department also revealed a surprise rise in the unemployment rate to 5% from 4.9% in August.The September jobs report from the US Labor Department also revealed a surprise rise in the unemployment rate to 5% from 4.9% in August.
Average earnings were in line with expectations, rising by 0.2% month-on-month, following a 0.1% increase in August.Average earnings were in line with expectations, rising by 0.2% month-on-month, following a 0.1% increase in August.
The weaker-than-expected jobs report will lower expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise rates before the end of the year.The weaker-than-expected jobs report will lower expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise rates before the end of the year.
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.43pm BSTat 1.43pm BST
1.33pm BST1.33pm BST
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Breaking: US non-farm payrolls lower than expectedBreaking: US non-farm payrolls lower than expected
There were 156,000 jobs added in September, lower than the 175,000 forecast by economists.There were 156,000 jobs added in September, lower than the 175,000 forecast by economists.
That’s a significant miss. Slightly better news was that the figure for August was revised up to 167,000 from 151,000. More soon.That’s a significant miss. Slightly better news was that the figure for August was revised up to 167,000 from 151,000. More soon.
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It’s almost time for US non-farm payrolls for September.It’s almost time for US non-farm payrolls for September.
Here are consensus expectations:Here are consensus expectations:
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Worth mentioning this morning’s UK trade data for August, which was worse than expected.Worth mentioning this morning’s UK trade data for August, which was worse than expected.
Britain’s trade in goods deficit widened to £12.1bn in August, from a downwardly revised £9.5bn in July according to the Office for National Statistics. Economists had forecast an £11.3bn deficit.Britain’s trade in goods deficit widened to £12.1bn in August, from a downwardly revised £9.5bn in July according to the Office for National Statistics. Economists had forecast an £11.3bn deficit.
The deficit widened so much because growth in imports was far sharper than growth in exports. Imports rose by £2.7bn to £37.9bn, while exports increased by just £100m to £25.8bn.The deficit widened so much because growth in imports was far sharper than growth in exports. Imports rose by £2.7bn to £37.9bn, while exports increased by just £100m to £25.8bn.
On a day when the pound is under the spotlight, the trade figures seem to suggest that as yet, the fall in sterling since the 23 June Brexit vote has yet to boost exports as hoped.On a day when the pound is under the spotlight, the trade figures seem to suggest that as yet, the fall in sterling since the 23 June Brexit vote has yet to boost exports as hoped.
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We haven’t heard anything yet from the chancellor Philip Hammond on the pound’s flash crash overnight.We haven’t heard anything yet from the chancellor Philip Hammond on the pound’s flash crash overnight.
He is in Washington DC (where it is almost 7.30am) for the IMF meetings. We’ll see if has any comment as business gets underway in the US.He is in Washington DC (where it is almost 7.30am) for the IMF meetings. We’ll see if has any comment as business gets underway in the US.
In Washington DC for IMF meetings. More important than ever that Britain works with international partners to secure continued global growthIn Washington DC for IMF meetings. More important than ever that Britain works with international partners to secure continued global growth
12.11pm BST12.11pm BST
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The latest scores:The latest scores:
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Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex, says investors only now seem to the reality of Brexit:Connor Campbell, financial analyst at Spreadex, says investors only now seem to the reality of Brexit:
If the pound was a prize fighter the referee would have already rung the bell, the currency bloodied and bruised beyond belief. It seems that sterling is recreating last night’s flash crash in slow motion, its losses against the dollar widening to 2.6%, taking it under $1.23 in the process; against the euro things were just as bad, the pound plunging under €1.13 following a 2.4% fall.If the pound was a prize fighter the referee would have already rung the bell, the currency bloodied and bruised beyond belief. It seems that sterling is recreating last night’s flash crash in slow motion, its losses against the dollar widening to 2.6%, taking it under $1.23 in the process; against the euro things were just as bad, the pound plunging under €1.13 following a 2.4% fall.
Beyond the post-flash crash fear that seems to have taken hold of investors, the intensification of sterling’s decline can largely be pinned on two factors this morning.Beyond the post-flash crash fear that seems to have taken hold of investors, the intensification of sterling’s decline can largely be pinned on two factors this morning.
Firstly, both the manufacturing and industrial production readings came in below expectations at 0.2% and -0.4% respectively, somewhat contradicting the positive PMIs from earlier in the week. Secondly, and perhaps most damningly, HSBC issued a pretty bleak statement claiming that, as the ‘defacto official opposition to the government’s [Brexit] policies’, the pound could well find itself circling $1.10 by the end of next year.Firstly, both the manufacturing and industrial production readings came in below expectations at 0.2% and -0.4% respectively, somewhat contradicting the positive PMIs from earlier in the week. Secondly, and perhaps most damningly, HSBC issued a pretty bleak statement claiming that, as the ‘defacto official opposition to the government’s [Brexit] policies’, the pound could well find itself circling $1.10 by the end of next year.
As has been the trend this week the pound’s plight has proven to be catnip for the FTSE, with the UK index climbing 58 points to tickle 7070. The Eurozone indices, on the other hand, are less than enthused about the euro’s recent strength, with the DAX and CAC both falling 0.8% apiece.As has been the trend this week the pound’s plight has proven to be catnip for the FTSE, with the UK index climbing 58 points to tickle 7070. The Eurozone indices, on the other hand, are less than enthused about the euro’s recent strength, with the DAX and CAC both falling 0.8% apiece.