The surge in non-farm payrolls raised questions about the monthly jobs report quality but also raised worries that wage gains may accelerate in months ahead and fuel broader inflation.
Stocks powered ahead after the Fed slowed interest rate hike and Chairman Powell acknowledged cooling inflation. Tech stocks led the gainers but crude oil and natural gas prices eased.
Caution prevailed in global markets ahead of crucial rate decisions from three central banks across the Atlantic. Rate hikes may be slowed in the U.S. but higher rates may be needed longer than anticipated to combat supply chain driven inflation.
Benchmark indexes traded lower in cautious trading and investors reacted to corporate earnings. Despite the talks of gloom and doom, the Euro Area and the U.S. economy continue to expand at healthy rates.
Tech stocks dropped ahead of earnings from leaders in the industry this week. Rate path worries and economic slowdown anxieties also dampened market sentiment.
Stocks lacked direction ahead of rate decisions across the Atlantic and earnings from leading technology companies. Investors are hoping smaller U.S. rate hikes may help the economy from dipping into a recession.
Benchmark indexes extended weekly gains after consumer spending eased for the second month in a row and inflation measure eased but stayed elevated. Investors are anticipating rate hikes by the central banks in the U.S., Euro Area and UK.
Market sentiment was cautiously positive as investors reviewed another batch of earnings. The key measure of inflation was elevated in December highlighting the difficult road ahead for the Federal Reserve.
Benchmark indexes rebounded and closed extended weekly and monthly gains on the hopes of the economy avoiding a recession. New home sales dropped to a four-year low but the labor market remained tight.
Stronger-than-expected GDP and durable goods orders supported the latest market advance and positive earnings from Tesla Inc also boosted Nasdaq stocks.
Tech stocks reversed morning gloom after Microsoft guided continued deceleration in cloud computing revenue. Tesla reported record revenue, profit, production and deliveries despite ongoing supply chain worries.
