Clarksville, TN – The January Employment Report was strong. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 257,000 (median forecast: +235,000), with a net upward revision of +147,000 to the two previous months (three month average at +336,000). Payrolls fell by 2.76 million before seasonal adjustment, but were up 3.21 million from a year earlier.
The unemployment rate edged up to 5.7% (from 5.6%) reflecting noise in the labor force participation figure (down in December, up in January). The employment/population ratio edged higher. Average hourly earnings jumped 0.5%, following a 0.2% decline in December (up 2.2% y/y, still a relatively lackluster trend).
Personal income and spending figures were mixed in December (quarterly spending figures were strong). The PCE Price Index fell 0.2% (+0.7% y/y), flat excluding food & energy (+1.3% y/y, vs. the Fed’s official goal of 2.0%). The trade deficit was wider than expected in December, implying (all else equal) a slight downward revision to the estimate of 4Q14 GDP.The soap opera in Europe continued. Greece’s new prime minister and finance minister toured the various capitals pleading for less austerity, but were met with a hardline stance. The ECB symbolically tightened the screws, shutting off a lending channel that the Greek banks don’t use much (or even need). Something’s got to give at some point, but this could drag on for a while (with headlines possibly having some impact on U.S. financial markets).
Next week, the economic calendar thins out. January isn’t an important month for most retailers, but investors will be watching the figures closely after December’s disappointing data (watch for revisions). A thin economic calendar means that investors may focus attention elsewhere (for example, on developments abroad).
Indices
Last | Last Week | YTD return % | |
DJIA | 17884.88 | 17416.85 | 0.35% |
NASDAQ | 4765.10 | 4683.407 | 0.61% |
S&P 500 | 2062.52 | 2021.25 | 0.18% |
MSCI EAFE | 1820.75 | 1792.03 | 2.58% |
Russell 2000 | 1208.71 | 1190.18 | 0.33% |
 Consumer Money Rates
Last | 1 year ago | |
Prime Rate | 3.25 | 3.25 |
Fed Funds | 0.13 | 0.06 |
30-year mortgage | 3.59 | 4.23 |
 Currencies
Last | 1 year ago | |
Dollars per British Pound | 1.524 | 1.628 |
Dollars per Euro | 1.143 | 1.351 |
Japanese Yen per Dollar | 117.420 | 101.250 |
Canadian Dollars per Dollar | 1.252 | 1.105 |
Mexican Peso per Dollar | 14.783 | 13.331 |
 Commodities
Last | 1 year ago | |
Crude Oil | 50.48 | 97.38 |
Gold | 1260.76 | 1257.31 |
 Bond Rates
Last | 1 month ago | |
2-year treasury | 0.62 | 0.56 |
10-year treasury | 1.93 | 1.97 |
10-year municipal (TEY) | 2.87 | 3.12 |
 Treasury Yield Curve – 02/06/2015
S&P Sector Performance (YTD) – 02/06/2015
Economic Calendar
February 10th | — | Small Business Optimism Index (January) JOLTS data (December) |
February 12th | — | Retail Sales (January) |
February 13th | — | Import Prices (January) Consumer Sentiment (mid-February) |
February 16th | — | Presidents Day holiday (markets closed) |
February 18th | — | Producer Price Index (January) Building Permits, Housing Starts (January) Industrial Production (January) FOMC Minutes (January 27th-28th) |
Important Disclosures
US government bonds and treasury bills are guaranteed by the US government and, if held to maturity, offer a fixed rate of return and guaranteed principal value. US government bonds are issued and guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by the federal government. Treasury bills are certificates reflecting short-term (less than one year) obligations of the US government.
Commodities trading is generally considered speculative because of the significant potential for investment loss. Markets for commodities are likely to be volatile and there may be sharp price fluctuations even during periods when prices overall are rising. Specific sector investing can be subject to different and greater risks than more diversified investments.
Tax Equiv Muni yields (TEY) assume a 35% tax rate on triple-A rated, tax-exempt insured revenue bonds.
Material prepared by Raymond James for use by its financial advisors.
The information contained herein has been obtained from sources considered reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Data source: Bloomberg, as of close of business February 5th, 2015.