S&P 500 futures rose Thursday night as investors readied for Friday’s closely watched jobs report.
Futures connected to the broad index inched up 0.12%, while Nasdaq 100 futures were also up 0.15%. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 59 points, or 0.15%.
Those moves come as traders geared up for the widely monitored labor data due Friday morning. Economists polled by Dow Jones are forecasting nonfarm payroll adds of 200,000 jobs in June and the unemployment rate to hold steady at 4%. They also expect hourly wages to climb 0.3% from May for an annualized gain of 3.9%.
The report comes as traders consider the latest economic data pointing to softening in the economy — and what it means for the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decisions going forward.
ADP figures released Wednesday showed less private payroll growth than anticipated in June, while weekly jobless claims came in higher than economists forecast. On top of that, a reading of the service sector from the Institute for Supply Management unexpectedly indicated a contraction.
“Friday’s payroll report should help clarify the underlying strength of the labor market,” said Quincy Krosby, chief global strategist at LPL Financial. “Given other evidence of a cooling economic backdrop … the payroll report could be increasingly decisive for the Fed as it seeks a rationale to signal an easing of rates.”
The three major indexes are on track to finish the holiday-shortened trading week up. The Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 have climbed more than 2.5% and 1% in the week, respectively. Both closed at all-time highs and notched new intraday records on Wednesday.
The Dow has lagged this week, adding around 0.5%.
Stocks head for winning week
With just one day left in the holiday-shortened trading week, the three major indexes are on track for gains.
The Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 have climbed more than 2.5% and 1%, respectively, this week. Both closed at new highs and touched fresh intraday records on Wednesday.
The Dow has added 0.5% this week.
The New York Stock Exchange closed early on Wednesday and was dark on Thursday for Independence Day.
— Alex Harring
Investors gear up for jobs data
Traders are awaiting Friday morning’s all-important jobs report.
Economists polled by Dow Jones are expecting the following for June:
- Nonfarm payrolls increase by 200,000 jobs.
- The unemployment rate will hold steady at 4%.
- Average hourly wages climb 0.3% from the prior month.
- Average hourly wages to be 3.9% higher than the same month a year ago.
Read more about what to expect here.
— Alex Harring, Jeff Cox
S&P 500 futures near flat
Futures tied to the S&P 500 futures were little changed shortly after 6 p.m. ET. Dow futures added 0.1%, while Nasdaq 100 futures slipped 0.2%.
— Alex Harring