- US stocks fell after a weak July jobs report raised concerns of a slowing economy.
- The US added 114,000 jobs in July, below estimates of 175,000, and the unemployment rate unexpectedly rose to 4.3%.
- Intel and Amazon's weak earnings reports also contributed to Friday's stock market decline.
The US economy added 114,000 jobs in July, well below economist estimates of 175,000. The unemployment rate also unexpectedly rose to 4.3% from 4.1%, its highest level since October 2021.
The 10-Year US Treasury yield plunged nearly 20 basis points to a 2024 low of 3.80% immediately after the jobs report was released.
"The sharp slowdown in payrolls in July and sharper rise in the unemployment rate makes a September interest rate cut inevitable and will increase speculation that the Fed will kick off its loosening cycle with a 50 bp cut or even an intra-meeting move," economist Stephen Brown at Capital Economics said.
Odds of a 50-basis point interest rate cut at the Federal Reserve's September FOMC meeting soared to 62% on Friday, a near triple from its 22% reading on Thursday, according to the CME Fed Watch Tool.
Also pushing stocks lower were weak earnings reports and guidance from Intel and Amazon. Intel stock plunged 25% after it cut its dividend and laid off 15% of its workforce, and Amazon stock dropped about 10% after it offer a tepid third-quarter sales outlook.
Stock market today: US indexes extend plunge after surprise unemployment spike and jobs miss - Link below
MSN
www.msn.com
