Macro Roundup (Mar 10)

SHANGHAI, Mar 10 - This is a roundup of global macroeconomic news last night and what is expected today.

The U.S. dollar dipped on Thursday after data showed that U.S. jobless claims rose more than expected last week, raising hopes that a softening labour market will reduce the likelihood of the Federal Reserve reaccelerating the pace of its rate hikes.

The dollar fell 0.89% against the Japanese currency to 136.12 yen. It reached a three-month high of 137.90 on Wednesday.

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits rose 21,000 to a seasonally adjusted 211,000 for the week ended March 4. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast 195,000 claims for the latest week.

Friday’s data is expected to show employers added 205,000 jobs in February, well below the much-larger-than-expected 517,000 gains in January. Wages are expected to have increased by 0.3% for the month, and by 4.7% on an annual basis.

U.S. stock futures inched lower on Thursday night as investors look to upcoming job data for clues into how the Federal Reserve may move forward. The action follows a steep sell-off led by bank shares.

Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 52 points, or 0.2%. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures each shed 0.2%.

The unemployment rate is expected to remain unchanged from January — when it hit a low not seen since 1969 — at 3.4%, according to Dow Jones. Data on hourly wages is expected to show hourly wages increased 0.4% from the prior month for a year-over-year again of 4.8%, economists estimate.

While having more jobs is considered good for the economy, a better-than-expected report can push stocks lower. That’s because more workers can signal more demand, which would indicate higher inflation.

Oil prices slid about 1% to a two-week low on Thursday on increased worries the U.S. Federal Reserve may go too far with its interest rate hikes to control inflation, which could cause a recession and reduce future oil demand.

Brent crude fell $1.07, or 1.3%, to settle at $81.59 a barrel, their lowest close since Feb. 22.

Gold jumped on Thursday as the dollar retreated, after data showed U.S. jobless claims grew more than expected last week, providing some hope to investors that the Federal Reserve’s interest rate hikes could be less aggressive than feared.

Spot gold climbed 1.1% to $1,830.35 per ounce and was last down 0.02% at 1,830.57. U.S. gold futures rose 0.9% to settle at $1,834.60.    

European markets traded lower, but not as drastically. The pan-European Stoxx-600 edged lower by 0.19%, helped by a 0.58% increase in food and beverage stocks.