Market Update
Investors Await Bank Earnings, Powell Stresses Fighting Inflation May Require Unpopular Steps
Barry Adams
10 Jan, 2023
New York City
Stocks lacked direction after one hour of trading and investors reacted to corporate news and digested the latest comments from Fed chairman.
Chairman Powell stressed the need for the central bank's independence from political interference at the Symposium on Central Bank Independence, Sveriges Riksbank, Stockholm, Sweden.
"The case for monetary policy independence lies in the benefits of insulating monetary policy decisions from short-term political considerations," Powell added.
The Federal Reserve's mandate is to maintain price stability and generate maximum employment but that also requires making decisions that are not always popular.
"But restoring price stability when inflation is high can require measures that are not popular in the short term as we raise interest rates to slow the economy.
The absence of direct political control over our decisions allows us to take these necessary measures without considering short-term political factors," Powell said at the gathering in Sweden.
The Federal Reserve is planning to conduct additional stress tests in evaluating financial readiness of banks in the event of a major hurricane or climate disaster but will refrain from pursuing climate goals and imposing them on banks.
U.S. Indexes In Review
Stocks meandered in early trading after two days of upward trajectory as investors weigh economic slowdown against higher rates in the months to come.
The S&P 500 index increased 0.3% to 3,903.33 and the Nasdaq Composite index added 0.4% to 10,673.68.
Crude oil futures contract increased 51 cents to $75.18 a barrel and natural gas futures contract fell 25 cents to $3.65 a thermal unit.
Bond yields were fairly stable as investors shifted focus to the upcoming corporate earnings and movements in energy markets after China opened its borders and social mobility and gathering restrictions.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes increased to 4.25%, 10-year Treasury notes hovered near 3.579% and 30-year Treasury bonds traded near 3.71%.
U.S. Stock Movers
Coinbase Global Inc increased 4.0% to $39.79 after the cryptocurrency exchange said it plans to lay off additional 950 staff according to a blog post.
Coinbase said the new layoffs are expected to cost between $149 million and $163 million in the first quarter, according to a regulatory filing.
The cryptocurrency exchange laid off about 1,000 employees in June 2020.
Coinbase listed its stock through a direct listing on the Nasdaq on April 14, 2021 at a price of $250and closed at $328.55 valuing the company at close to $86 billion.
Bed Bath & Beyond Inc soared 30% to $2.12 after the struggling retailer reported wider-than-expected loss.
Revenue in the fiscal third quarter ending on November 26 declined 33% to $1.26 billion and comparable store sales declined 34% from a year ago.
Net loss in the quarter jumped to $392.6 million from $276.4 million or diluted loss per share rose to $4.33 from $2.78 a year ago.
Sotera Health Company soared 93% to $16.63 after the company said it agreed to settle more than 870 cases pending in two court cases in Illinois related to the release of carcinogen ethylene oxide
Under the agreements, the company and its subsidiary Sterigenics will pay $408 million to settle the claims.
Merger Update
Frontline Ltd increased 21.6% to $13.83 after the oil tanker shipping company said it terminated its merger talks with Euronav NV.
Euronav dropped 17.1% to $13.22.
European Markets
European markets traded lower from the recent 7-month highs and investors weighed the possibilities of a soft-landing scenario in the event of continual decline in inflation driven by the fall in energy prices.
The DAX index fell 0.1% to 14,770.03, the CAC-40 index declined 0.5% to 6,869.15 and the FTSE 100 index decreased 0.4% to 7,694.90.
The yield on 10-year German Bunds rose to 2.284%,French bonds increased to 2.788%, UK Gilts to 3.58% and Italian bonds to 4.20%.
Brent crude oil futures contract for immediate month delivery increased 28 cents to $79.95 a barrel and the Dutch TTF natural gas fell 7.9% to
CinCor Pharma Agrees to $1.8 Billion AstraZeneca Deal
Scott Peters
09 Jan, 2023
New York City
CinCor Pharma increased 144% to $28.74 after the company agreed to be acquired by AstraZeneca for a price of $26.00 per share in cash at closing.
The deal also includes an additional non-tradable contingent value right of $10 a share in cash payable upon a specified regulatory submission of a baxdrostat product.
The total value of the deal is about $1.8 billion and the deal is expected to close in the first quarter.
The upfront cash portion of the consideration represents a transaction value of approximately $1.3 billion and a 121% premium over CinCor
Albireo Pharma Agreed Ipsen's Merger Proposal
Scott Peters
09 Jan, 2023
New York City
Albireo Pharma Inc soared 92% to $43.82 after the US-based rare liver disease focused company agreed to merge with the French biopharma company Ipsen.
Ipsen SA increased 0.5% to
Merger Activities and Tech Rally Dominated Monday Trading, World Markets Soar
Barry Adams
09 Jan, 2023
New York City
U.S. stocks opened higher and benchmark indexes accelerated gains after widely held tech stocks gained between 2% and 4%.
Benchmark indexes advanced for the second day in a row after Friday's jobs report slightly higher-than-expected increase in December jobs but wage gains moderated.
The decelerating jobs gain lifted hopes of smaller rate hikes and fueled a sharp worldwide market rally in Monday's trading following a 2% surge in Friday.
The rally lost steam and the S&P 500 lost the session's gains towards the close but the Nasdaq Composite managed to close in the positive territory.
The easing of rate hike worries and growing belief that the inflation may have peaked at least for now, fueled the stock advance for the second day in a row.
However, the lingering worries of a recession and uncertain global economic backdrop kept investor enthusiasm in check.
Merger Monday also drove deal driven stocks higher.
Stock Rally Spills Over to Second Day
Benchmark indexes opened higher and extended Friday's rally to the second day after inflation expectations cooled.
Consumer survey conducted by the New York Federal Reserve in its district showed inflation outlook for one year ahead cooled to 5.0% in December from 5.2% in November.
The S&P 500 index soared 2.99 points to 3,892.07 and the Nasdaq Composite index advanced 0.6% or 66.35 to 10,793.70.
U.S. Stock Movers
Albireo Pharma Inc soared 92% to $43.82 after the US-based rare liver disease focused company agreed to merge with the French biopharma company Ipsen.
AstraZeneca agreed to acquire the US-based CinCor Pharma for $1.8 billion.
Goldman Sachs Group Inc rose 1.4% to $353.0 after the investment bank said it is planning to terminate as many as 3,200 positions, about 6% of its total staff.
Lululemon Athletica Inc declined 9.3% to $298.66 after the company said its fourth quarter revenue is expected to be ahead of its expectations but gross margins are expected to shrink.
Tesla Inc soared 5.9% to $119.77, Microsoft Corp increased 1.0% to $227.12, Apple Inc advanced 0.4% to $130.15.
Brazil Reais Holds Despite Political Chaos
The Brazilian reais fell 1.5% to 5.309 against the U.S. dollar after protestors and election deniers stormed the government buildings including presidential palace, National Congress and Supreme Federal court in capital city Brasilia on Sunday.
The recently appointed President Luiz In
Movers: Albireo, CinCor, Duck Creek, Goldman Sachs, Lulu Lemon, Teladoc
Scott Peters
09 Jan, 2023
New York City
Tech stock rally powered broader market rally for the second day in a row on the hopes that the Federal Reserve Bank may slow future rate hikes in its campaign against inflation.
Albireo Pharma Inc soared 92% to $43.82 after the US-based rare liver disease focused company agreed to merge with the French biopharma company Ipsen.
Ipsen SA increased 0.5% to
European Indexes at 7-month Highs, Swiss National Bank Report Record Loss
Bridgette Randall
09 Jan, 2023
Frankfurt
European markets advanced to 7-month highs after interest rate increase worries eased and optimism about China opening its borders.
Market advance also supported by the merger activity, indicating positive outlook held by corporate executives.
Euro Area Jobless Rate Fell In November
Jobless rate in the Euro Area declined to 6.5% in November and nearly unchanged from the previous month, according to the statistical office Eurostat.
The unemployment rate was 7.1% in November a year ago.
The total number of unemployed declined 2,000 from the previous month and fell 846,900 from a year ago to 10.849 million in November.
The overall unemployment in the EU27 held steady at 6.0%.
France Trade Deficit Widened In November
France's trade deficit widened in November after exports eased and imports rose according to the latest data released by the customs office.
Trade deficit rose to
Morning Rally Lifts U.S. Stocks
Barry Adams
09 Jan, 2023
New York City
U.S. stocks opened higher and benchmark indexes accelerated gains after widely held tech stocks gained between 2% and 4%.
Benchmark indexes advanced for the second day in a row after Friday's jobs report slightly higher-than-expected increase in December jobs but wage gains moderated.
The decelerating jobs gain lifted hopes of smaller rate hikes and fueled a sharp worldwide market rally in Monday's trading following a 2% surge in Friday.
Stock Rally Spills Over to Second Day
Benchmark indexes opened higher and extended Friday's rally to the second day after inflation expectations cooled.
Consumer survey conducted by the New York Federal Reserve in its district showed inflation outlook for one year ahead cooled to 5.0% in December from 5.2% in November.
The S&P 500 index soared 1.3% to 3,945.57 and the Nasdaq Composite index advanced 2.1% to 10,793.70.
Brazil Reais Holds Despite Political Chaos
The Brazilian reais fell 1.5% to 5.309 against the U.S. dollar after protestors and election deniers stormed the government buildings including presidential palace, National Congress and Supreme Federal court in capital city Brasilia on Sunday.
The recently appointed President Luiz In
Moderating Jobs Growth and Wage Gains Lifted Indexes 2%
Barry Adams
06 Jan, 2023
New York City
Stocks advanced on the hopes that the slowing jobs growth and weakening service sector may cool inflation.
The December non-farm payrolls expanded at a healthy pace but not too fast indicating the labor market is healthy and growing at a slower pace.
The moderating pace of job growth lifted hopes that the economy may avoid the hard landing scenario and may even nudge the Fed from raising rates too fast and keeping higher rates too long.
In other words, the economy is strong enough to adjust to higher interest rates and may manage to avoid sharp decline in business activities.
Benchmark indexes surged above 2% and tech stocks rallied on the hopes that the Fed may pivot from its hawkish stance and may even consider pausing rate hikes.
The December payrolls report was the third jobs report in two days this week indicating the slowing pace of payroll expansion but the U.S. economy is still adding jobs at a healthy pace.
Despite the seven rate hikes in 2022 and cooling of home sales, the job market keeps expanding and by July 2022 recovered 25 million jobs lost during the pandemic months and added nearly 2 million more jobs on the payrolls.
Despite the job gains, labor force participation rate has hovered around 62% and employment-to-population ratio around 60.0% in 2022.
U.S. Payrolls Expanded In December
The U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in December, the smallest monthly increase in two years, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
The widely expected monthly employment situation report showed that despite the slowing hiring trend the labor market remains healthy and employers are expanding payrolls.
In 2022, monthly payrolls increase slowed to 375,000 from 562,000 gains in 2021 and 168,000 in 2019,
In 2022, the U.S. economy added 4.5 million net new jobs.
The unemployment rate declined to 3.5% in December and drifted in a tight range between 3.5% and 3.7% since March.
In December, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 9 cents, or 0.3%, to $32.82.
Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 4.6%.
Service Sector Contracts First Time In Nearly 3 Years
The service sector pointed to first contraction in December since May 2020 in the depth of the covid pandemic, the latest survey from the Institute of Supply Management showed Friday.
The ISM Services Purchasing Managers' Index declined to 49.6 in December after rising to 56.5 in November.
Any reading above 50 suggests expansion and below indicates a contraction.
U.S. Indexes In Review
Benchmark indexes opened higher and accelerated gains on the back of not-too-strong payrolls expansion in December.
Friday's rally erased market losses of the week and halted 4-week decline in the row.
The S&P 500 index increased 2.3% to 3,895.08 and the Nasdaq Composite index jumped 2.6% to 10,569.29.
For the week, the S&P 500 index increased 1.5% and the Nasdaq Composite index rose 0.9%.
Crude oil increased 14 cents to $73.80 a barrel and natural gas increased 4 cents to $3.76 a thermal unit.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged down to 4.26%, 10-year notes declined to 3.57% and 30-year Treasury bonds traded near 3.68%.
European Markets Advance on Weakening Inflation
Europe market indexes rallied after the inflation eased, consumer sentiment improved and retail sales rebounded in the Euro Area.
The easing of inflation lifted market sentiment after consumer prices rose at the slowest pace encouraging investors to bid up stock prices.
The large four economies of the Euro Area, Germany, France, Spain and Italy, have reported easing of inflation in December and only Italy reported double-digit inflation.
The decline in natural gas prices and crude oil impacted the overall inflation data but food and beverage prices continue to advance at elevated pace.
Moreover, the deceleration in the U.S. job growth in December also contributed to the market advance.
The U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in December, the smallest monthly increase in two years and averaged 375,000 a month totaling 4.5 million in 2022.
The easing of payroll expansion also empowered investors on both sides of the Atlantic to bid up stocks.
Euro Area inflation Eased
Consumer prices in the Euro Area dropped to a 4-month low after energy prices dropped but core inflation accelerated in December.
The Euro Area inflation eased to 9.2% in December from 10.1% in November and dropped to a four-month low, Eurostat reported Friday.
Energy prices rose at a slower pace but prices for food and beverages accelerated.
Energy prices rose 25.7% from a year ago in December but the pace of increase declined from 34.9% in November and 41.5% in October.
Core inflation, which excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, advanced to 5.2% from 5.0% in November.
Euro Area Retail Sales Rebounded In November
Retail sales in the euro zone rebounded in November reversing the decline in the previous month, Eurostat reported Friday.
Retail sales rose 0.8% on a monthly basis in November after contracting from the downwardly revised 1.5% decline in October when retail sales fell the most since December 2021.
Retail sales declined from a year ago 2.8% in November after falling 2.6% in October.
Euro Area Consumer Confidence Less Negative
The European Commission survey showed that the euro area consumer sentiment was less negative at the end of the year.
The confidence indicator improved to -22.2 in December, matching the preliminary estimate, from -23.9 in the previous month.
Europe Indexes In Review
The DAX index increased 1.2% to 14,610.02, the CAC-40 rose 1.5% to 6,860.95 and the FTSE 100 index advanced 0.9% to 7,699.49.
The yield on 10-year German Bunds edged lower to 2.19%, French bonds inched lower to 2.71%, UK Gilts to 3.49% and Italian bonds
Brent crude oil fell 34 cents to $78.28 a barrel and Dutch natural gas futures contract fell 4% to $69.53 a thermal unit.
The euro edged lower to $1.06 and the British pound fell to $1.209.
Europe Stock Movers
Mining and resource stocks advanced on the hopes of improving business activities in China after authorities said the first wave of virus may have peaked in Beijing and in Tianjin.
Glencore, Antofagasta and Anglo America gained between 1% and 2%.
Shell Plc, BP, plc, TotalEnergies SA, Repsol SA and Eni SpA rose between 1% and 3%.
Essentra Plc dropped 7.9% to 215.50 pence after the maker and distributor of plastic and metal components said fourth-quarter revenue declined 3% for its continuing business.
The company said full-year 2022 sales increased 6.5% after adjusting currency fluctuations and excluding discontinued operations.
The European business has continued to deliver growth at "moderated levels," whilst the US business has faced greater headwinds, with signs of distributors drawing down inventories.
Sales in Asia were impacted by lockdowns in China however business activities are expected to pick up in the first half of 2023.
Clarkson Plc rose 5.3% to 3,312.50 pence after the investment banking and broking services providers to the shipping industry reported strong activities in the final quarter of 2022.
The company said its pro-tax profit in 2022 is estimated at
European Markets Advanced After Inflation Pressures Eased and Retail Sales Rebounded
Bridgette Randall
06 Jan, 2023
Frankfurt
Europe market indexes rallied after the inflation eased, consumer sentiment improved and retail sales rebounded in the Euro Area.
The easing of inflation lifted market sentiment after consumer prices rose at the slowest pace encouraging investors to bid up stock prices.
The large four economies of the Euro Area, Germany, France, Spain and Italy, have reported easing of inflation in December and only Italy reported double-digit inflation.
The decline in natural gas prices and crude oil impacted the overall inflation data but food and beverage prices continue to advance at elevated pace.
Moreover, the deceleration in the U.S. job growth in December also contributed to the market advance.
The U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in December, the smallest monthly increase in two years and averaged 375,000 a month totaling 4.5 million in 2022.
The easing of payroll expansion also empowered investors on both sides of the Atlantic to bid up stocks.
Euro Area inflation Eased
Consumer prices in the Euro Area dropped to a 4-month low after energy prices dropped but core inflation accelerated in December.
The Euro Area inflation eased to 9.2% in December from 10.1% in November and dropped to a four-month low, Eurostat reported Friday.
Energy prices rose at a slower pace but prices for food and beverages accelerated.
Energy prices rose 25.7% from a year ago in December but the pace of increase declined from 34.9% in November and 41.5% in October.
Core inflation, which excludes energy, food, alcohol and tobacco, advanced to 5.2% from 5.0% in November.
Euro Area Retail Sales Rebounded In November
Retail sales in the euro zone rebounded in November reversing the decline in the previous month, Eurostat reported Friday.
Retail sales rose 0.8% on a monthly basis in November after contracting from the downwardly revised 1.5% decline in October when retail sales fell the most since December 2021.
Retail sales declined from a year ago 2.8% in November after falling 2.6% in October.
Euro Area Consumer Confidence Less Negative
The European Commission survey showed that the euro area consumer sentiment was less negative at the end of the year.
The confidence indicator improved to -22.2 in December, matching the preliminary estimate, from -23.9 in the previous month.
Indexes In Review
The DAX index increased 1.2% to 14,610.02, the CAC-40 rose 1.5% to 6,860.95 and the FTSE 100 index advanced 0.9% to 7,699.49.
For the week, the DAX index increased 4.9%, the CAC-40 index rose 6% and the FTSE 100 index advanced 3.3%.
The yield on 10-year German Bunds edged lower to 2.19%, French bonds inched lower to 2.71%, UK Gilts to 3.49% and Italian bonds
Brent crude oil fell 34 cents to $78.28 a barrel and Dutch natural gas futures contract fell 4% to $69.53 a thermal unit.
The euro edged lower to $1.06 and the British pound fell to $1.209.
Europe Stock Movers
Mining and resource stocks advanced on the hopes of improving business activities in China after authorities said the first wave of virus may have peaked in Beijing and in Tianjin.
Glencore, Antofagasta and Anglo America gained between 1% and 2%.
Shell Plc, BP, plc, TotalEnergies SA, Repsol SA and Eni SpA rose between 1% and 3%.
Essentra Plc dropped 7.9% to 215.50 pence after the maker and distributor of plastic and metal components said fourth-quarter revenue declined 3% for its continuing business.
The company said full-year 2022 sales increased 6.5% after adjusting currency fluctuations and excluding discontinued operations.
The European business has continued to deliver growth at "moderated levels," whilst the US business has faced greater headwinds, with signs of distributors drawing down inventories.
Sales in Asia were impacted by lockdowns in China however business activities are expected to pick up in the first half of 2023.
Clarkson Plc rose 5.3% to 3,312.50 pence after the investment banking and broking services providers to the shipping industry reported strong activities in the final quarter of 2022.
The company said its pro-tax profit in 2022 is estimated at
Movers: Agilent Tech, Bed Bath & Beyond, Costco, Greenbrier, R1 RCM, Silvergate Capital, WWE, Tesla
Scott Peters
06 Jan, 2023
New York City
Agilent Technologies Inc declined 4.4% to $145.41 after the company said it struck a deal with Akoya Bioscience to develop a solution for tissue analysis.
Agilent and Akoya will partner to develop chromogenic and immunofluorescent multiplex assays that include spatial analysis for biopharma companies developing precision cancer therapeutics.
Akoya Biosciences Inc rose 6.5% to $9.66.
Bed Bath & Beyond dropped 21.3% to $1.33 and continued its slide after the struggling retailer warned that the company is running out of cash and looking at all options including bankruptcy.
Costco Wholesale Corporation soared 4.8% to $480.49 after the membership club retailer said December sales increased 7.0% from a year ago to $23.88 billion.
For the 18 weeks ended January 1, 2023, the big-box retailer reported net sales of $82.16 billion, an increase of 7.6% from $76.34 billion last year.
Comparable sales at U.S. locations increased 6.4% in the 5-week period ending on January 1 and rose 6.3% in the 18-week period, excluding gasoline sales.
However, e-commerce sales, excluding gasoline, declined 5.4% and 3.4% in the 5-week and 18-week period respectively.
Doximity Inc dropped 4.2% to $30.66 after Morgan Stanley lowered its rating on online networking service for the medical community to "underweight" from "equal weight" citing weak advertising environment for the digital healthcare publications.
Greenbrier Companies Inc dropped 14.0% to $30.02 after the rail car maker reported weaker-than-expected earnings.
Revenue in the fiscal first quarter ending in November increased to $766.5 million from $550.7 million a year ago.
The railcar maker swung to a net loss of $16.7 million from a profit of $10.8 million and diluted loss per share was 51 cents to a profit of 32 cents a year ago.
Gross margin plunged to 6.5% from 10.3 Impacted by increased costs related to outsourced components, material shortages and supply chain issues.
R1 RCM Holdco Inc jumped 10.5% to $12.47 after the healthcare technology company offered positive views for 2023 and reaffirmed 2022 estimates.
The company reaffirmed its full-year 2022 revenue outlook between $1,790 million and $1,800 million.
The company also guided 2023 revenue between $2,280 million and $2,330 million.
Silvergate Capital Corp dropped 11.3% to $11.15 and the company extended two-day loss to more than 40% after the bank reported a surge in digit assets withdrawals in December.
The bank is also facing questions about its long-term profitability model as cryptocurrency prices remain depressed.
Tesla Inc inched up 0.3% to $110.75after dropping to a two-year low below $102 after the company extended discounts for the electric vehicles made in Shanghai, China.
Tesla has still not released its December 2022 sales but sales in the first eleven months in 2022 jumped 40% from the previous year.
Zero-covid policy and crackdown on tech companies have negatively impacted the sales of the luxury electric vehicle maker and the company has been losing market share to more affordable vehicles made by BYD and Xpeng in China.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. increased 19.6% to $86.21 after the company announced the return of founder Vince McMahon and the company is also looking at all strategic options including business sale.
December Payrolls Growth Slowed to Two Year Low
Brian Turner
06 Jan, 2023
New York City
The U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in December, the smallest monthly increase in two years, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
The widely expected monthly employment situation report showed that despite the slowing hiring trend the labor market remains healthy and employers are expanding payrolls.
In 2022, monthly payrolls increase slowed to 375,000 from 562,000 gains in 2021 and 168,000 in 2019,
In 2022, the U.S. economy added 4.5 million net new jobs.
The unemployment rate declined to 3.5% in December and drifted in a tight range between 3.5% and 3.7% since March.
Hourly Wage Gains Slow
In December, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 9 cents, or 0.3%, to $32.82 following downwardly revised 0.4% increase in the previous month.
Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 4.6% slowest annual pace since August 2021.
Downward Revisions
The change in total nonfarm payroll employment for October was revised down by 21,000, from the increase in 284,000 to 263,000.
The change for November was revised down by 7,000, from 263,000 to 256,000.
With these revisions, employment gains in October and November combined were 28,000 lower than previously reported.
Decelerating Job Growth and Wage Gains Power Market Rally
Barry Adams
06 Jan, 2023
New York City
Stocks opened higher after the release of jobs report and the decelerating jobs growth and wage gains powered the market rally supporting the soft-landing scenario.
The December non-farm payrolls expanded at a healthy pace indicating the labor market strength but not too fast that the Federal Reserve has to consider large-sized rate increases.
Benchmark indexes surged above 1% and tech stocks rallied on the hopes that the Fed may pivot from its hawkish stance.
The December payrolls report was the third jobs report indicating the slowing pace of payroll expansion but the U.S. economy is still adding jobs at a healthy pace.
Despite the seven rate hikes in 2022 and cooling of home sales, the job market keeps expanding and has now recovered all jobs during the pandemic and added millions more.
U.S. Payrolls Expanded In December
The U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in December, the smallest monthly increase in two years, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday.
The widely expected monthly employment situation report showed that despite the slowing hiring trend the labor market remains healthy and employers are expanding payrolls.
In 2022, monthly payrolls increase slowed to 375,000 from 562,000 gains in 2021 and 168,000 in 2019,
In 2022, the U.S. economy added 4.5 million net new jobs.
The unemployment rate declined to 3.5% in December and drifted in a tight range between 3.5% and 3.7% since March.
In December, average hourly earnings for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 9 cents, or 0.3%, to $32.82.
Over the past 12 months, average hourly earnings have increased by 4.6%.
Service Sector Contracts First Time In Nearly 3 Years
The service sector pointed to first contraction in December since May 2020 in the depth of the covid pandemic, the latest survey from the Institute of Supply Management showed Friday.
The ISM Services Purchasing Managers' Index declined to 49.6 in December after rising to 56.5 in November.
Any reading above 50 suggests expansion and below indicates a contraction.
Indexes In Review
Benchmark indexes opened higher and after two hours of trading accelerated gains on the back of not-too-strong payrolls expansion in December.
The S&P 500 index increased 1.8% to 3,877.84 and the Nasdaq Composite index jumped 1.8% to 10,493.82.
Crude oil increased $1.08 to $74.81 a barrel and natural gas hovered near $3.73 a thermal unit.
The yield on 2-year Treasury notes edged down to 4.27%, 10-year notes declined to 3.57% and 30-year Treasury bonds traded near 3.69%.
Yen Drops Fourth Day In a Row
Market indexes in Tokyo advanced after the yen weakened for the fourth day in a row and fell from the seven-month high.
The yen continued to drift lower after real wages declined at an annual pace of 3.8% in November, the largest fall since May 2014 and investors also awaited the U.S. jobs report later in the day.
The bearish sentiment in the yen also got stronger after a report suggested that the Bank of Japan sees no reason to adjust it yield curve control policy.
The Nikkei average increased 0.59% to 25,973.85 and the broader Topix index closed 0.37% up to 1,875.76.
For the week, the Nikkei average fell 0.6%.
Shipping companies, drugmakers and tech stocks led the gainers after investors searched among beaten down sectors.
Tokyo Electron, Sony, Honda and Mitsui O.S.K. and Daiichi Sankyo closed higher between 0.5% and 2%.
Best Start In Two Decades for Hong Kong Stocks
China indexes opened higher but late afternoon selling dragged market indexes lower.
Hong Kong stocks gained the most in two decades in the first week of trading after investors increased exposure to risky assets and China promised to offer more support for first time home buyers.
The People's Bank of China said in a statement today that it will permit local authorities to lower mortgage rates for first-time home buyers if property prices fall for three months in a row.
Internet stocks led the gainers after China signaled the end of regulatory tightening.
Alibaba.com surged 17%, Baidu increased 14% and Tencent advanced 10% in the first week of trading.
The Hang Seng index ended down 0.29% or 60.53 points to close at 20,991.64 and the Shanghai Composite index increased 2.42 points to 3,157.64.
For the week, the Hang Seng advanced 6.1% nearing the increase of 6.7% in 1999 in the first week and the Shanghai Composite increased 2.2%.
Best Start for Hong Kong Stocks In Two Decades, Yen Weakness Extends to 4th Day
Arjun Pandit
06 Jan, 2023
Mumbai
Market indexes in Tokyo advanced after the yen weakened for the fourth day in a row and weakened from the seven-month high.
Investors also awaited the U.S. jobs report later in the day.
The Nikkei average increased 0.59% to 25,973.85 and the broader Topix index closed 0.37% up to 1,875.76.
For the week, the Nikkei average fell 0.6%.
Shipping companies, drugmakers and tech stocks led the gainers after investors searched among beaten down sectors.
Tokyo Electron, Sony, Honda and Mitsui O.S.K. and Daiichi Sankyo closed higher between 0.5% and 2%.
China indexes opened higher but late afternoon selling dragged market indexes lower.
Hong Kong stocks gained the most in two decades in the first week of trading after investors increased exposure to risky assets and China promised to offer more support for first time home buyers.
The People's Bank of China said in a statement today that it will permit local authorities to lower mortgage rates for first-time home buyers if property prices fall for three months in a row.
Internet stocks led the gainers after China signaled the end of regulatory tightening.
Alibaba.com surged 17%, Baidu increased 14% and Tencent advanced 10% in the first week of trading.
The Hang Seng index ended down 0.29% or 60.53 points to close at 20,991.64 and the Shanghai Composite index increased 2.42 points to 3,157.64.
For the week, the Hang Seng advanced 6.1% nearing the increase of 6.7% in 1999 in the first week and the Shanghai Composite increased 2.2%.
Japan Auto Sales Drop to 45-year Low
Auto sales in Japan declined to the lowest level in 45 years as automakers struggle with falling demand, supply chain disruptions and chip shortages.
New car sales in 2022 dropped 5.6% to 4.2 million and domestic auto sales fell for the fourth year in a row and reached the level last seen in 1977 when sales were 4.19 million.
The data were reported by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and Japan Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association.
Sales of Toyota declined 12.4% to 1.2 million vehicles, Nissan sales declined 0.8% to 272,020 vehicles and Honda sales fell 1.9% to 269,034 units.
Sales of mini vehicles, automobiles with engines smaller than 600 cc, declined 0.9% to 1.6 million vehicles and non-mini vehicles sales fell 8.3% to 2.6 million.
However, December vehicle sales increased 2.4% to 344,365 units and extended monthly gains to the fourth month in a row.