Introduces Kevin Hanks to discuss the jobs report and pre-market analysis.
Nicole
Kevin Hanks
January non-farm payrolls of 130K beat expectations. Unemployment rate fell to 4.3% despite higher labor force participation. Private payrolls strong at 172K, manufacturing up 5K.
Kevin Hanks
Wage inflation remains problematic: hourly earnings up 0.4% MoM and 3.7% YoY, higher than expected.
Kevin Hanks
This strong jobs report reverses last week's weak labor data trend and pushes Fed rate cuts further out.
Notes concerns about retail sales and employment cost index, but sees strength in healthcare, construction, social assistance.
Nicole
Kevin Hanks
Agrees rate cuts are being pushed back. Weak retail sales may be weather-related. Bank of America consumer data shows solid numbers.
Kevin Hanks
10-year yield is ticking up and interest rate cuts are sliding back. Jerome Powell unlikely to cut rates in next two meetings.
Asks about mortgage applications data.
Nicole
Kevin Hanks
30-year mortgage rate unchanged at 6.21%. Housing market remains in slump despite lower rates, not showing big jump.