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U.S. Nonfarm Payrolls In The Spotlight On Friday

Published 06/01/2018, 02:14 AM
Updated 02/20/2024, 03:00 AM

Investors can expect a steady flow of market-moving events on Friday, culminating in the US Labor Department’s monthly nonfarm payrolls report. Arguably the most closely watched calendar event of the month, nonfarm payrolls provides a timely snapshot of the US labor market and the overall economy.

IHS Markit is scheduled to release a deluge of Eurozone PMI reports beginning at 07:15 GMT covering Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the broader euro area. For the 19-member currency region, Markit’s manufacturing PMI is forecast to read 55.5 for the month of May.

The Italian government is scheduled to release revised first-quarter GDP numbers at 08:00 GMT. The Italian economy is projected to rise 1.4% on the quarter.

US nonfarm payrolls are scheduled for distribution at 12:30 GMT. The May reading is expected to show a net gain of 188,000 jobs for May, compared with 164,000 in April. The jobless rate is projected to hold steady at 3.9%.

Average hourly earnings, a proxy for wage inflation, likely rose 0.2% on month and 2.7% annually.

Elsewhere on the economic calendar, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) will release its US manufacturing gauge at 14:00 GMT. The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) likely strengthened to 58.1 in May from 57.3 in April.

The Commerce Department will round out the data wire with a report on construction spending, which is scheduled for 14:00 GMT.

In terms of monetary policy developments, Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) member Neel Kashkari will deliver a speech at 12:55 GMT.

EUR/USD

Europe’s common currency extended its rally on Thursday, with prices briefly trading above 1.1700 USD. At the time of writing, EUR/USD was valued at 1.1686, where it was little changed. US nonfarm payrolls will play a major role in how the euro as well as other dollar pairs are priced heading into the weekend. Better than expected results will encourage the bulls while a slower than expected rise may compel the bears to take control. EUR/USD faces immediate support at 1.1660. On the upside, 1.1700 presents an immediate hurdle.
EURUSD

USD/CAD

USD/CAD snapped back to health on Thursday after suffering a 150-pip selloff at the hands of the Bank of Canada. The pair is back to trading in the mid-1.2900 region. A strong jobs report on Friday could generate bids closer to the psychologically important 1.3000 region.
USD/CAD

GBP/USD

Cable also backtracked on Thursday after posting large gains the previous session. GBP/USD fell from a high near 1.3350 back down to the 1.3280 region. The pair faces renewed downside risks, with Tuesday’s low of 1.3200 back in focus. On the opposite side of the spectrum, a convincing break above 1.3310 could generate renewed support for cable.
GBP/USD

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