Clarksville, TN – The October employment report was much stronger than anticipated. However, figures should be considered in their proper context. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 271,000, with a net upward revision to the two previous months of +12,000.
Due to the start of the school year, seasonal adjustment can be tricky in October (we added 1.152 million jobs before seasonal adjustment, versus 1.081 million in October 2014).
The strong (adjusted) gain in payrolls for October followed two soft months. The three-month average, which reduces much of the monthly noise, was 187,000 (+181,000 for the private-sector) – that’s slower than we saw last year, but still well beyond the +120,000 pace that would be consistent with the growth in the working-age population.The unemployment rate was essentially unchanged, but was rounded down to 5.0% (from 5.1%). Average hourly earnings rose 0.4%, versus flat in September, up 2.5% y/y.
Fed Chair Janet Yellen suggested that a December rate hike was possible. That should not have been a surprise. Recall that the Fed was close to raising short-term interest rates in September, but delayed, citing possible downside risks from global economic and financial developments.
The downside risks now appear to be a lot less worrisome. U.S. exports have declined, but not sharply (largely reflecting lower prices for food and raw materials). The October employment report boosted market expectations of a December rate increase, sending stock prices lower, lifting bond yields, and sending the dollar higher.
Next week, the economic calendar thins out. The bond market will take Veterans Day off. The important economic data arrive at the end of the week. Retail sales are expected to have picked up in October. Seasonal adjustment will reduce the impact of lower gasoline prices in the PPI, while core inflation is likely to remain low.
Indices
Last | Last Week | YTD return % | |
DJIA | 17863.43 | 17755.80 | 0.23% |
NASDAQ | 5127.74 | 5074.27 | 8.27% |
S&P 500 | 2099.93 | 2089.41 | 1.99% |
MSCI EAFE | 1758.31 | 1759.41 | -0.93% |
Russell 2000 | 1190.69 | 1165.63 | -1.16% |
Consumer Money Rates
Last | 1 year ago | |
Prime Rate | 3.25 | 3.25 |
Fed Funds | 0.11 | 0.09 |
30-year mortgage | 3.99 | 4.02 |
Currencies
Last | 1 year ago | |
Dollars per British Pound | 1.538 | 1.589 |
Dollars per Euro | 1.086 | 1.249 |
Japanese Yen per Dollar | 121.890 | 114.470 |
Canadian Dollars per Dollar | 1.317 | 1.144 |
Mexican Peso per Dollar | 16.579 | 13.634 |
Commodities
Last | 1 year ago | |
Crude Oil | 45.20 | 78.68 |
Gold | 1107.85 | 1145.90 |
Bond Rates
Last | 1 month ago | |
2-year treasury | 0.90 | 0.64 |
10-year treasury | 2.32 | 2.11 |
10-year municipal (TEY) | 3.35 | 3.19 |
Treasury Yield Curve – 11/06/2015
As of close of business 11/05/2015
S&P Sector Performance (YTD) – 11/06/2015
As of close of business 11/05/2015
Economic Calendar
Nov 10th | — | Import Prices (October) Small Business Optimism (October) |
Nov 11th | — | Veterans Day (bond market closed) |
Nov 12th | — | Jobless Claims (week ending 11/7) |
Nov 13th | — | Producer Price Index (October) Retail Sales (October) Business Inventories (September) UM Consumer Sentiment (mid-November) |
Nov 17th | — | Consumer Price Index (October) Industrial Production (October) |
Nov 18th | — | Building Materials, Housing Starts (October) FOMC Minutes (October 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 November 5th, 2015.