FXStreet (Delhi) – Research Team at Lloyds Bank, suggests that the December US labour market report will be the focus of attention today.
Key Quotes
“When the FOMC lifted its policy interest rates, for the first time since the recession in December, the accompanying press statement noted that the labour market had tightened appreciably over the course of the year. US economic data releases since that FOMC meeting have been mixed, but the indications are that this will be another solid employment report.
The consensus expectation is for a rise in payrolls of 200k and the stronger than expected rise in the ADP private sector employment measure points to upside risks. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, is expected to hold at its low for the cycle of 5%. The average earnings series will also be watched closely. This has started to drift up in recent months and other wage measures point to a faster pace of acceleration. A further rise in the annual rate of growth is expected for December.
Neither of today’s Fed speakers, San Francisco Fed President Williams and Richmond Fed President Lacker, are voting members of the FOMC this year. Nevertheless their comments will still be of interest, particularly any reaction they have to recent financial market turbulence. Both voted for the December rise and have previously indicated that they would be comfortable with four hikes this year if economic developments pan out as expected.”
(Market News Provided by FXstreet)