The Independent Market Observer

Economic Release Snapshot: Hiring Accelerates in February

Posted by Sam Millette

This entry was posted on Mar 11, 2024 8:10:46 AM

and tagged In the News

Leave a comment

Monday UpdateEach week, we break down the latest U.S. economic reports, including what the results mean for the overall health of the economy. Here, you will find how economists’ forecasts compare with actual results, key takeaways to consider, as well as a list of what’s on tap for the week ahead.

Reports for the Week of March 4

ISM Services, February (Tuesday)

  • Expected/Prior ISM Services index: 53.0/53.4
  • Actual ISM Services index: 52.6

Service sector confidence fell more than expected in February, partly due to a slowdown in service sector employment. Despite the decline, the index remained in expansionary territory.

Trade balance, January (Thursday)

  • Expected/prior trade deficit: –$63.5 billion/–$64.2 billion
  • Actual trade deficit: –$67.4 billion

The trade deficit increased more than expected in January due to a 1.1 percent rise in imports that overwhelmed a 0.1 percent rise in exports.

Employment report, February (Friday)

  • Expected/prior change in nonfarm payrolls: +200,000/+229,000
  • Actual change in nonfarm payrolls: +275,000

Hiring accelerated in February, with 275,000 new jobs added during the month following a downwardly revised 229,000 jobs in January. While headline job growth remained strong in February, the unemployment rate rose from 3.7 percent to 3.9 percent. There were notable downward revisions to the December and January reports.

Upcoming Reports for the Week of March 11

Consumer Price Index, February (Tuesday)
Headline consumer inflation is expected to rise in February, with economists calling for a 0.4 percent rise in consumer prices during the month following a 0.3 percent increase in January.

Retail sales, February (Thursday)
Retail sales are expected to rebound in February after falling more than expected in January. Headline and core sales are set to rise during the month.

Producer Price Index, February (Thursday)
Producer inflation is expected to increase 0.3 percent on a headline basis in February, following a 0.3 percent rise in January. Core producer prices, which strip out the impact of volatile food and energy prices, are set to show a more modest 0.2 percent gain.

Industrial production, February (Friday)
Industrial production is expected to stand flat in February following a weather-induced slowdown in January.

University of Michigan consumer sentiment survey, March, preliminary (Friday)
Consumer sentiment is expected to increase modestly in March after falling more than expected in February.

 


Subscribe via Email

Crash-Test Investing

Hot Topics



New Call-to-action

Conversations

Archives

see all

Subscribe


Disclosure

The information on this website is intended for informational/educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice, a solicitation, or a recommendation to buy or sell any security or investment product. Please contact your financial professional for more information specific to your situation.

Certain sections of this commentary contain forward-looking statements that are based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

The S&P 500 Index is a broad-based measurement of changes in stock market conditions based on the average performance of 500 widely held common stocks. All indices are unmanaged and investors cannot invest directly in an index.

The MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australia, Far East) Index is a free float‐adjusted market capitalization index that is designed to measure the equity market performance of developed markets, excluding the U.S. and Canada. The MSCI EAFE Index consists of 21 developed market country indices.

One basis point (bp) is equal to 1/100th of 1 percent, or 0.01 percent.

The VIX (CBOE Volatility Index) measures the market’s expectation of 30-day volatility across a wide range of S&P 500 options.

The forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio divides the current share price of the index by its estimated future earnings.

Third-party links are provided to you as a courtesy. We make no representation as to the completeness or accuracy of information provided on these websites. Information on such sites, including third-party links contained within, should not be construed as an endorsement or adoption by Commonwealth of any kind. You should consult with a financial advisor regarding your specific situation.

Member FINRASIPC

Please review our Terms of Use

Commonwealth Financial Network®