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Market sell off deepens after US jobs report, as bitcoins slides - business live Market sell off slows after US jobs report, as bitcoin slides - business live
(35 minutes later)
Pantheon economist Ian Shepherdson reckons the jobs data should be good for shares.
If productivity growth can keep up with the rise in wages, these numbers ought to be good for stocks. More wage gains = more revenue; steady unit labor cost = no margin hit, so earnings should rise.
2. Rising yields because of normalization/gradual rebound in neutral rate shouldn't be a problem for stocks. A surge in yields because of inflation panic is a different story, but it's not this one.(At this point.)
Wall Street futures have improved as we approach the opening of the US market.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is now forecast to open around 200 points lower, better than the 250 loss predicted in the immediate aftermath of the better than expected jobs figures.
Kully Samra, UK managing director at Charles Schwab expects US rate rises this year. And increased market volatility:
The US economy started 2018 on a positive note as the labour market continues to tighten. This latest set of job numbers supports the view that that some of the weakness in December’s service-providing industries would revert in January.
Tightening labour market conditions and indications of a pickup in wage growth will be welcomed by the Fed which has expressed concern over benign inflation. While the Fed held interest rates steady on Wednesday, we expect a hike in March as Jerome Powell is expected to continue down the familiar path of keeping inflation under control without raising rates so far or so fast as to stifle the improvement in growth expected this year.
We continue to believe the Fed will hike rates at least three times this year and that, along with the paring of its balance sheet, historically-low financial conditions may start to tighten. However, with the outlook for inflation continuing to be carefully monitored, we do expect a higher level of volatility in the stock market this year relative to 2017.
The big picture is that America’s economy has been creating jobs each month since early into Barack Obama’s first term, and it’s held steady under Donald Trump too.
US - JAN #NFP's +200k (exp +180k, prior rev +160k from +148k). U/E rate 4.1% (exp 4.1%, prior 4.1%). Participation steady at 62.7%. pic.twitter.com/9XjxcnPW9s
The upbeat US jobs figures makes it likely there will be an interest rate rise in March barring unforeseen circumstances, according to ING Bank. Economist James Knightley says:
The US jobs report is very strong with payrolls rising 200,000 versus expectations of 180,000. There were some chunky upward revisions too, but the big story is wage growth which looks much, much better. Wages are now growing 2.9% year on year (the fastest rate of growth since 2009) with last month’s figure revised up to 2.7% from 2.5%. Unemployment stays at 4.1%, but given the strength of this report it is hard to argue against a March Fed rate hike now.
Wage growth has been the missing link in the strong economic growth, tight jobs market story. We have been hoping for some time to see a turnaround and it does finally look as though something is happening. It backs up evidence from yesterday’s National Federation of Independent Businesses small business survey, which showed the net proportion of businesses raising worker compensation is at its highest since 2000. The report also showed you have to go all the way back to 1989 to find when the index indicating the net proportion of businesses that plan to raise worker pay was higher.
Given companies such as WalMart have credited Trump’s tax cuts as a way for them to afford higher worker pay we suspect we will see the wage numbers pick-up further. Rising wages and robust economic growth is also supportive for our 3% headline CPI call for this summer.
Consequently, it will need a big shock to prevent the Fed from hiking in March, but it could happen in the form of a damaging government shutdown should politicians fail to resolve their differences – next deadline is February 8. Nonetheless, it looks more and more likely that we will have to revise up our call for three Fed rate hikes this year to four.
US firms are facing a real scramble to find staff to hire, reckons Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist of RSM.
US January NFP: Strong Employment Report. Composition of hiring decisively tilted towards higher wage job creation. Avg hourly earnings up by most since 2009 to 2.9% on a year ago basis.
US NFP: Given that there is roughly one worker per job opening in the economy, the narrative inside the labor market is rapidly shifting from that of triumph to that of concern amongst firms of all sizes over how to fill positions among labor scarcity
Stock futures don't like Payrolls-fuelled turbo boost for #Treasurys, though indices aren't extending pre-open declines much. $DJ dn 242 pts, Nasdaq, -35, S&P futures dn 19.75 pts ^KO
President Trump will probably enjoy today’s jobs report, says Dennis de Jong, managing director at UFX.com:
“While criticism of Donald Trump’s embattled White House continues to mount, job growth continues to go through the gears, with the latest nonfarm payroll figures proving job creation remains a competence within the president’s capabilities.
“Buoyant domestic and global demand, particularly for the manufacturing sector, appear the drivers in higher-than-anticipated numbers, and Trump’s fiscal stimulus package is clearly a shot in the arm for economic growth.
“However, with the economy close to full employment, increased pressure on wages looks an inevitable consequence. So higher inflation is surely on the cards, with taller interest rates set to arrive over the coming months.”
A good jobs report = falling shares and bonds.
That’s because traders suspect it means US interest rates will rise faster than expected, as inflation worries encourage central bankers to empty the ‘punch bowl’ of loose monetary policy.
Dow futures slide 244 points after jobs report beats expectations https://t.co/DQ2BKK8qPi pic.twitter.com/uWpXCOVHwR
US 10-year Treasury yield jumps to 4-year high of 2.83% after jobs report https://t.co/MkBsMEmhXY pic.twitter.com/ircSDpIrs7
Financial experts like the look of today’s US labor market report.
This is from Christopher Vecchio of DailyFX.com:
Good batch of data here: January US NFP at +200K vs +180K exp, prior revised up to +160K from +148K, U3 unemployment rate at 4.1% as exp, wage growth at +0.3% m/m as exp & +2.9% y/y (vs +2.6% exp, from +2.7%). $DXY catching a break from recent weakness.
Jeremy Cook of World First and Ian Shepherdson of Pantheon Economics are both impressed by the wage growth:
*U.S. AVERAGE HOURLY EARNINGS ROSE 2.9% Y/Y, MOST SINCE 2009
AHE 2.9% y/y best since 2009. That's all you need to know.
Bloomberg’s Jeanna Smialek suggests that the Phillips curve may not be dead after all (the idea that inflation rises when unemployment falls).
Average hourly earnings up to by the most since 2009 (yoy), but hours fall. Still, those AHE numbers are probably welcome news for wage Phillips curvers.
Economist Shaun Richards has spotted that bars and restaurants hired more staff last month:
Meanwhile are Americans turning to drink? "Employment continued to trend up in construction, food services and drinking places,health care, and manufacturing." #NFP 🍺
The dollar has climbed and US bond yields have risen following the better then expected jobs and wages figures.The dollar has climbed and US bond yields have risen following the better then expected jobs and wages figures.
But the losses on US markets have increased according to the futures. But the expected opening losses on Wall Street have increased according to the future market, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average forecast to open down around 250 points. Before the jobs data it was around 220 points lower.
The dollar index has risen 0.3% to 88.95 while 10 year Treasury yields have hit a near four year high at 2.818%.The dollar index has risen 0.3% to 88.95 while 10 year Treasury yields have hit a near four year high at 2.818%.
And the price of 30 year bonds has fallen more than a point with yields at their highest level since March 2017.And the price of 30 year bonds has fallen more than a point with yields at their highest level since March 2017.
BREAKING: The US economy created 200,000 new jobs last month, a little more than Wall Street had expected.BREAKING: The US economy created 200,000 new jobs last month, a little more than Wall Street had expected.
December’s figure have been revised up too, to 160,000 new jobs (from 146,000).December’s figure have been revised up too, to 160,000 new jobs (from 146,000).
The US jobless rate remains at 4.1%, a 17-year low.The US jobless rate remains at 4.1%, a 17-year low.
Wages rose too, by 0.3% during the month and a healthy 2.9% year-on-year. Wages rose too, by 0.3% during the month and a healthy 2.9% year-on-year (that’s average hourly earnings)
It looks like a pretty decent jobs report, at first glance.It looks like a pretty decent jobs report, at first glance.
Well, this rather sums up the crypto bubble.Well, this rather sums up the crypto bubble.
Long Blockchain Corp -- formally known as Long Island Iced Tea -- has announced that it has abandoned plans to buy bitcoin mining equipment.Long Blockchain Corp -- formally known as Long Island Iced Tea -- has announced that it has abandoned plans to buy bitcoin mining equipment.
Long Island rebranded itself as a ‘blockchain’ company late last year, a move that caused its share price to quadruple.Long Island rebranded itself as a ‘blockchain’ company late last year, a move that caused its share price to quadruple.
It is pressing on with its proposed merger with technology companyStater Blockchain Limited, but has ditched plans to buy “1,000 Antminer S9 mining rigs” to mine new bitcoins. More here....It is pressing on with its proposed merger with technology companyStater Blockchain Limited, but has ditched plans to buy “1,000 Antminer S9 mining rigs” to mine new bitcoins. More here....
Hilarious. The company formerly known as Long Island Iced Tea but decided to become a blockchain company is not going to buy bitcoin mining equipment after all. My story on $LBCC. Back when it was still $LTEA. https://t.co/IYWPWi16M1Hilarious. The company formerly known as Long Island Iced Tea but decided to become a blockchain company is not going to buy bitcoin mining equipment after all. My story on $LBCC. Back when it was still $LTEA. https://t.co/IYWPWi16M1
Tension is building in the markets as investors brace for America’s jobs report, due at 8.30am East Coast time (1.30pm in the UK).Tension is building in the markets as investors brace for America’s jobs report, due at 8.30am East Coast time (1.30pm in the UK).
As usual, Wall Street experts have a range of predictions. The consensus is that 180,000 new jobs were created in January.As usual, Wall Street experts have a range of predictions. The consensus is that 180,000 new jobs were created in January.
But it’s the wage growth figures that could move the markets; a (welcome) rise in earnings would make US interest rate rises more likely -- potentially bad news for bond prices and shares too.But it’s the wage growth figures that could move the markets; a (welcome) rise in earnings would make US interest rate rises more likely -- potentially bad news for bond prices and shares too.
Primary Dealer #NFPguesses:BNP 230KDeutsche 210KBMO 205KGoldman 205KNomura 205KJefferies 200KJPM 200K Scotia 200KMS 195KSocGen 190KBofAML 180KUBS 177KBarclays 175KMizuho 175KRBC 175KTD 175KWFC 175KDaiwa 170KHSBC 170K Citi 165KCredit Suisse 165KPrimary Dealer #NFPguesses:BNP 230KDeutsche 210KBMO 205KGoldman 205KNomura 205KJefferies 200KJPM 200K Scotia 200KMS 195KSocGen 190KBofAML 180KUBS 177KBarclays 175KMizuho 175KRBC 175KTD 175KWFC 175KDaiwa 170KHSBC 170K Citi 165KCredit Suisse 165K
Here’s our news story on bitcoin’s slide, and Nouriel Roubini’s concerns::
Hold onto your hats. Bitcoin is clambering off the mat, and bouncing back to $8,500.
That’s still a 5% loss today, though...
Markets reporters trying to follow bitcoin pic.twitter.com/ITIC9Cp4r4
This is turning into a rather bad day for digital currencies.
Ethereum, Ripple, Litecoin et al are all suffering double-digit losses.
#Bitcoin crash Intensifies as global cryptocurrency market loses $400bn. https://t.co/eUrVUhYUNL pic.twitter.com/DVN9c134Xo
Despite the recent plunge, bitcoin is still worth rather more than a year ago....
Wanna feel old? Bitcoin was valued at $1,015 exactly one year ago pic.twitter.com/UfShRchYCn
Bitcoin is being hit by two different issues (as explained earlier).
Firstly, you have the growing threat of regulation, with India’s finance minister pledging yesterday to ‘eliminate’ the use of digital currencies by criminals. That follows similar similar warnings from politicians in the UK, US and South Korea.
Secondly, you have the investigation into Bitfinex (a leading digital currency exchange), and crypto firm tether. Regulators are questioning whether tether, whose coins are used to trade digital currency, are actually fully backed by US dollars as it claims.
As Bloomberg explains:
Tether’s coins have become a popular substitute for dollars on cryptocurrency exchanges worldwide, with about $2.3 billion of the tokens outstanding as of Tuesday. While Tether has said all of its coins are backed by U.S. dollars held in reserve, the company has yet to provide conclusive evidence of its holdings to the public or have its accounts audited.
Skeptics have questioned whether the money is really there.
This double-dose of bad news is sparking a rout across the sector, sending bitcoin sliding through $8,000 (it’s $7,888 right now).
Neil Wilson of ETX Capital reckons that “the wheels are coming off the bitcoin bandwagon”.
The regulatory crunch appears closer than ever and sooner or later this market could be headed back down to earth. Selling pressure at the moment is intense as there has been nothing but bad news for bitcoin bulls of late.
The key concern facing the bulls is the CFTC investigation into Tether and the Bitfinex exchange. Claims of full dollar convertibility are under scrutiny. Given there are about 2bn tether coins in existence, there should be a $2bn account somewhere but Tether has yet to prove it or have accounts audited.
The idea that Tether is creating coins to buy bitcoin is straight out of satire. If bitcoin is a Ponzi scheme, then this is Ponzi squared; printing fake money to buy a different type of fake money in order to ramp up the price of the latter. If it weren’t likely to cause real world losses for many investors it would be hilarious.
Meanwhile, we see the jaws of the regulatory crunch closing on other fronts with moves to ban or greatly restrict trading on bitcoin gaining traction worldwide. Ultimately if the CFTC decides bitcoin prices have been manipulated it casts a huge shadow of bitcoin and entire crypto market.
At Davos last week, a series of experts cast doubt over bitcoin -- those predictions seem to be being born out today....
Ouch! Bitcoin has just tumbled through the $8,000 mark.
It’s now trading at $7985 on the Bitstamp exchange, down over 11% this morning as volatile trading continues to rock the digital currency sector.
This inflicts further losses on those who bought into bitcoin late last year.
Bitcoin has now lost around 40% of its value this year (bitcoin started the New Year at $13,880), and 60% since its all-time peak in December.
Bitcoin falls below $8,000. Down 11% today, after the huge fall in value over the past month.
The US stock market is heading for another bath.
The Dow Jones is being called down around 220 points, or 0.8%, amid nervousness ahead of today’s non-farm payroll jobs report.
In Europe, the Stoxx 600 index is now down 1.1% - and facing its biggest weekly loss since the US presidential election in November 2016.
In London, the FTSE 100 is extending its recent losses. It’s down another 28 points, or 0.3%, at 7461, its lowest level since 15 December.
Investors are ignoring last night’s strong results from Amazon, in favour of fretting about the bond market again.
Bond yields (which rise when prices fall) are climbing, on the back of concerns that Donald Trump’s tax cuts will drive up US borrowing.
It's jobs day and Dow futures are down 200 points as investors fret over climbing global bond yields, ignore Amazon, Apple premarket cheer. It's Groundhog Day too. https://t.co/LH1GiIkdvr pic.twitter.com/MlAyyxRgT1
Craig Erlam of City firm OANDA says trading is “rocky” in Europe today. He points to the volatility in the bond market, where UK and German government debt has weakened:
Gilt yields are at their highest since May 2015 and Bunds at their highest since September 2015. This may well be contributing to the declines we’ve seen recently across Europe – along with the corresponding appreciation of the euro and pound – and could now be taking its toll on US stocks.
That doesn’t necessarily mean we’ve entered a risk-off period or that stocks are headed for a correction but a sharp rise in yields, as we’ve seen, can also weigh on equity markets.
The FT has a good take on the anxiety in the bond markets:
The US is heading into some of its biggest budget deficits outside of wars and recessions as Congress debates increasing ceilings on federal spending on top of December’s trillion-dollar tax cuts.
Lawmakers are contemplating lifting caps on defence and non-defence spending as they seek a funding deal in coming weeks. The Bipartisan Policy Center, a non-partisan think-tank, predicts that Congress will settle on plans that drive the deficit to 5.7 per cent of US gross domestic product in 2019 as annual borrowing exceeds $1.1tn.
That would be well short of deficits as a share of GDP reached after the Great Recession or the second world war. But it would be comparable to the shortfall after the recession of the early 1980s under Ronald Reagan, even though the US is now at or beyond full employment and the global economy is in its strongest upswing in a decade.
More here: Economists warn of Trump deficit’s ‘dark trajectory’
Germany’s Dax index has now shed all 2018’s gains, dragged down partly by Deutsche Bank after its disappointing results.
Oops! #Germany's Dax looks quite ugly. After one of the best Jan on record, Dax now down on the year, having suffered one of the largest selloffs since 2016. pic.twitter.com/XapcDZcCH4
Economics professor Nouriel Roubini has just been on Bloomberg TV, blasting bitcoin as the “biggest Ponzi scheme in human history”.
Roubini claims that “charlatans and swindlers” drove digital currencies to record levels last year, before cashing their profits.
Ordinary punters, who bought bitcoin when it was trading around $20,000, have lost 60% of their shirts since, says Roubini.
.@flacqua asks @Nouriel Roubini if regulating #cryptocurrency will legitimize it. Roubini answers, "I don't think so." @tomkeene @BloombergTV https://t.co/Ng2PG7JNIF pic.twitter.com/1BeAOgr6V7
Here’s Rob Davies on the job losses at Carillion: