|

Breaking: EUR/USD jumps above 1.1400 as the NFP misses with 155K, wages +0.2%

The US jobs report disappointed with an increase of only 155K. Wages are up 0.2% MoM, weaker than expected. Year over year, they are up 3.1%. The unemployment rate is stable at 3.7% as expected. Participation stands at 62.9%. The average workweek is down to 34.4. The "real unemployment rate", U-6, is up to 7.6% but remains at encouraging levels. Net revisions for October and September stand at -12K, a minor change all in all.

The US Dollar is down across the board. EUR/USD is climbing above 1.1400. GBP/USD is trading around 1.2800 and USD/JPY fell to 112.60. Commodity currencies are rising as well. The Canadian Dollar is doing exceptionally well thanks to a leap of 94.1K in Canadian jobs and a drop in the unemployment rate to 5.6%. 

The downfall in the US Dollar is petering out as time goes by, but the greenback remains below pre-release levels.

Here is how the move looks on the EUR/USD 15-minute chart:

EUR USD NFP reaction December 7 2018

-- more to come

Follow all the updates in the live NFP coverage

The US was expected to report an increase of 200,000 positions in November after a robust rise of 250,000 in October (before revisions). Average Hourly Earnings carried expectations for rising by 0.3% MoM after 0.2% beforehand. Year over Year, wages were forecast to increase by 3.1%. The Unemployment Rate was projected to remain at a low level of 3.7%. 

Fed Chair Jerome Powell spoke on Thursday and expressed satisfaction with the economy and the labor market in particular. He said that it is doing well be "many measures." This NFP is the last jobs report before the Federal Reserve convenes to makes its final rate decision for the year.

Author

Yohay Elam

Yohay Elam

FXStreet

Yohay is in Forex since 2008 when he founded Forex Crunch, a blog crafted in his free time that turned into a fully-fledged currency website later sold to Finixio.

More from Yohay Elam
Share:

Editor's Picks

EUR/USD looks weak below 1.1800

EUR/USD has slipped back under pressure, breaking through the 1.1800 support and drifting towards the weekly lows near 1.1770 ahead of the opening bell in Asia. The move reflects renewed strength in the US Dollar, with steady geopolitical tensions keeping its demand firm. Moving forward, the release of the German labour market report and flash inflation figures should keep European investors entertained on Friday.
 

GBP/USD threatens the 200-day SMA near 1.3440

GBP/USD rapidly leaves behind Wednesday’s strong advance, coming under heavy pressure and retesting the 1.3440 zone, where the critical 200-day SMA is located. Cable’s deep pullback follows the strong gains in the Greenback, while investors continue to pencil in a potential BoE rate cut in March.

Gold trims gains, slips back to around $5,170

Gold is now facing some downside pressure, hovering around the $5,170 region on Thursday. The yellow metal surrenders part of its earlier gains on the back of the resurgence of the buying interest in the Greenback. In the meantime, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to limit the downside potential for now.

How AI, blockchain, stablecoins are shaping a new global economy – Circle CEO Jeremy Allaire

Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain technology and stablecoins are emerging as core pillars of a new global economic system, according to Circle’s CEO, Jeremy Allaire.

Changing the game: International implications of recent tariff developments

The Supreme Court ruling on International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs provides limited relief for the rest of the world, with weighted average tariff rates modestly lower.

Bitcoin steadies as traders eye US–Iran talks

Bitcoin (BTC) price is stabilizing around $68,000 at the time of writing on Thursday after a 6.2% relief rally the previous day amid a broader downward trend.