Stock market today: Nasdaq futures dip lower after jobs report shows more cooling


US stock futures pulled back on Friday as investors digested a crucial jobs report that provided clues to the size of this month’s expected interest-rate cut and the resilience of the US economy.

Tech stocks led the declines, with Nasdaq 100 futures (NQ=F) down 0.5%. S&P 500 futures (ES=F) retreated 0.2%, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) dropped 0.1%. All three indexes had seen more notable slides before the report, however.

The US economy added 142,000 jobs in August, which trailed expectations for about 165,000 jobs added. Prior month job growth was also revised lower, as the labor market showed signs of continued cooling. The unemployment rate, however, ticked back down to 4.2%.

The report shifted expectations for the Fed to enact a more sizable rate cut at its meeting in less than two weeks. According to the CME FedWatch tool, traders see a 50-50 chance of a 50 basis point cut, which was up significantly from Thursday.

Despite anemic closes, stocks have whipsawed this week as the market assessed incoming economic data to set expectations on the size of the Fed’s rate cut. All three indexes are set for significant weekly declines.

Read more: Fed predictions for 2024: What experts say about the possibility of a rate cut

Meanwhile, in corporate news, chipmaker Broadcom’s (AVGO) shares fell in pre-market trading on the heels of a lackluster sales forecast. While the Apple supplier is benefiting from a surge in AI spending, its other divisions are falling short.

Live1 update

  • August jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4.2%, labor market adds 142,000 jobs

    The US economy added fewer jobs than expected in August while the unemployment rate ticked lower.

    Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released Friday showed the labor market added 142,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in August, fewer additions than the 165,000 expected by economists.

    Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell to 4.2%, from 4.3% in July. August job additions came in higher than the revised 89,000 added in July. Additionally, revisions to the June and July labor reports showed the US economy added 86,000 fewer jobs than initially reported in those months.

    Wage growth, an important measure for gauging inflation pressures, rose to 3.8% year-over-year, up from a 3.6% annual gain in July. On a monthly basis, wages increased 0.4%, higher than the 0.2% seen the month prior.

    Also in Friday’s report, the labor force participation sat flat from the month prior at 62.7%.



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