WARNING - This Jobs Report Could be Sketchy

Recent economic data for February has been downright disconcerting. There is reason to believe the Employment Situation Report for March might be as well, given that hiring decisions likely lag. But is bad news good news or vice versa? After all, if hiring in March fell just a little short of expectations it might serve investors hoping for an extension of the Fed’s free money policy. But if it was lousy, you had better buckle up, because economic recession fear trumps Fed dovishness in terms of factor influence. See more of this report here: Buckle Up - This Jobs Report Could be Sketchy.

Security Sector	03-31-16 3:00
SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY)	-0.2%
SPDR Dow Jones (NYSE: DIA)	-0.2%
PowerShares QQQ (Nasdaq: QQQ)	-0.2%
iShares Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM)	+0.3%
Vanguard Total Stock Market (NYSE: VTI)	-0.1%
Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLF)	-0.2%
Technology Select Sector SPDR (Nasdaq: XLK)	-0.2%
Energy Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLE)	-0.1%
Health Care Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLV)	-0.3%
Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR (NYSE:  XLY)	-0.1%
Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLP)	-0.5%
Utilities Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLU)	+0.6%
Materials Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLB)	-0.8%
Industrial Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLI)	-0.2%
iPath S&P 500 VIX ST Futures (NYSE: VXX)	+0.6%
SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE: GLD)	+0.5%
United States Oil (NYSE: USO)	-0.3%

Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only. Article should interest investors in Paychex (Nasdaq: PAYX), Manpower (NYSE: MAN), Robert Half International (NYSE: RHI), 51Job Inc. (Nasdaq: JOBS), Monster World Wide (NYSE: MWW), Korn/Ferry International (NYSE: KFY), Administaff (NYSE: ASF), Kforce (Nasdaq: KFRC), TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI), Dice Holdings (NYSE: DHX), Kelly Services (Nasdaq: KELYA), CDI Corp. (NYSE: CDI), Cross Country Healthcare (Nasdaq: CCRN), On Assignment (Nasdaq: ASGN), AMN Healthcare Services (NYSE: AHS), Barrett Business Services (Nasdaq: BBSI), Hudson Highland Group (Nasdaq: HHGP), StarTek (NYSE: SRT), RCM Technologies (Nasdaq: RCMT), VirtualScopics (Nasdaq: VSCP), American Surgical (OTC: ASRG.OB), Medical Connections (OTC: MCTH.OB), iGen Networks (OTC: IGEN.OB), St. Joseph (OTC: STJO.OB), General Employment Enterprises (NYSE: JOB), Total Neutraceutical (OTC: TNUS.OB), TeamStaff (Nasdaq: TSTF), Stratum (OTC: STTH.PK), Purespectrum (OTC: PSRU.OB), Corporate Resource Services (OTC: CRRS.OB), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), J.P. Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), Citigroup (NYSE: C), Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS), Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), TD Bank (NYSE: TD), PNC Bank (NYSE: PNC), General Electric (NYSE: GE), Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), McDonald's (NYSE: MCD), Alcoa (NYSE: AA), American Express (NYSE: AXP), Boeing (NYSE: BA), Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT), Cisco Systems (Nasdaq: CSCO), Chevron (NYSE: CVX), DuPont (NYSE: DD), Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS), Home Depot (NYSE: HD), Hewlett-Packard (NYSE: HPQ), IBM (NYSE: IBM), Intel (Nasdaq: INTC), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ), Kraft (NYSE: KFT), Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO), 3M (NYSE: MMM), Merck (NYSE: MRK), Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT), Pfizer (NYSE: PFE), Procter & Gamble (NYSE: PG), AT&T (NYSE: T), Travelers (NYSE: TRV), United Technologies (NYSE: UTX), Verizon (NYSE: VZ), Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM).

Why the Jobs Report has been Volatile

I expect investors and maybe some economists are wondering why the monthly Employment Situation Report data has been so volatile lately. Nonfarm payrolls have varied significantly recently. The data makes for uncertainty in securities markets, which are now attempting to discern what the Federal Reserve might decide to do in December. However, I believe the cause of the variance has a simple explanation. See the full report on jobs here.

Month	Nonfarm Payrolls
October	+271
September	+137
August	+153
July	+245

Labor & Business Services Stocks

Robert Half (NYSE: RHI)

Korn Ferry (NYSE: KFY)

Monster Worldwide (NYSE: MWW)

Manpower (NYSE: MAN)

51Job Inc. (Nasdaq: JOBS)

Paychex (Nasdaq: PAYX)

Kforce (Nasdaq: KFRC)

TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI)

Dice Holdings (NYSE: DHX)

Kelly Services (Nasdaq: KELYA)

CDI Corp. (NYSE: CDI)

Cross Country Healthcare (Nasdaq: CCRN)

On Assignment (Nasdaq: ASGN)

AMN Healthcare Services (NYSE: AHS)

Barrett Business Services (Nasdaq: BBSI)

Hudson Highland Group (Nasdaq: HHGP)

StarTek (NYSE: SRT)

RCM Technologies (Nasdaq: RCMT)

VirtualScopics (Nasdaq: VSCP)

American Surgical (OTC: ASRG.OB)

Medical Connections (OTC: MCTH.OB)

iGen Networks (OTC: IGEN.OB)

St. Joseph (OTC: STJO.OB)

General Employment Enterprises (NYSE: JOB)

Total Neutraceutical (OTC: TNUS.OB)

TeamStaff (Nasdaq: TSTF)

Stratum (OTC: STTH.PK)

Purespectrum (OTC: PSRU.OB)

Corporate Resource Services (OTC: CRRS.OB)

Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.

Stock Market Read - Sink or Swim on the Jobs Report?

Stocks are likely to mostly slip in early trading Friday after a strong monthly jobs report was published. Positive economic data signals lead investor expectations toward a Fed rate action for December, which while perhaps appropriate is still unsavory for most companies and for good reason. Fear not, though, as this early indicator only has so much punch. Given the fact that the Fed December meeting is still a ways away, and given the seasonal influence of capital flows, I expect stocks to bounce back. I’m looking at the $208 level on the SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY) as a test point for any declne Friday, and that is where I expect stocks should stabilize and bounce back from. Keep in mind that the important financial sector mostly benefits from higher interest rates and acts as a counterbalance to other equity softness, limiting today’s impact. Also remember that a strong economy justifies higher interest rates and is the best of all long-term drivers for stocks. Though, until the December Fed meeting today’s data point places a cap on the stock market’s upside potential. Keep in mind that more data (economic and other) will follow that could change the dynamics. See the full report on the stock market here.

Market Sectors & Specific Issues	11-06-15 Early Trade
SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY)	-0.1%
SPDR Dow Jones (NYSE: DIA)	+0.2%
PowerShares QQQ (Nasdaq: QQQ)	-0.1%
iShares Russell 2000 (NYSE: IWM)	-0.2%
Financial Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLF)	+1.7%
PowerShares DB US Dollar Bullish (NYSE: UUP)	+1.2%
iShares Nasdaq Biotech (Nasdaq: IBB)	-0.4%

Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.

Energy Sector Layoffs are Over

Evidence in data reported today seems to show the market free of a heavy burden. Announced corporate layoffs decreased in May from a much higher level in April. The data seems to indicate the damage to the energy industry and its ripples through various economies due to the sharp decrease in energy prices of the past year may finally be coming to an end. If my reading of the situation is correct, it would mark relief from a heavy burden on the overall economy and stocks. See my report on the energy sector. Article interests United States Oil (NYSE: USO), iPath S&P GSCI Oil (NYSE: OIL), Energy Select Sector SPDR (NYSE: XLE), SPDR S&P Oil & Gas E&Ps (NYSE: XOP) and Exxon Mobil (NYSE: XOM).

Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.

FRIDAY’S MARKET – Good Jobs News is Bad Market News

This day will without a doubt be dictated by the most important economic report in terms of market following. The monthly Employment Situation Report certainly deserves the attention today, as it came in astoundingly strong in a period that could have easily shown weakness on bad weather. Nonfarm payrolls and the unemployment rate improved far beyond expectations, which is good news about the American economy. However, that is bad news for investors, because it seems to push the U.S. Federal Reserve closer to interest rate hikes. We cover the market daily at our stock market blog at a level unmatched.

Our founder earned clients a 23% average annual return over five years as a stock analyst on Wall Street. "The Greek" has written for institutional newsletters, Businessweek, Real Money, Seeking Alpha and others, while also appearing across TV and radio. While writing for Wall Street Greek, Mr. Kaminis presciently warned of the financial crisis.

Sector Security	3-5-15	YTD	TTM
Vanguard S&P 500 (NYSE: VOO)	+0.1%	2.5%	14.1%
iShares Dow Jones (NYSE: IYY)	+0.2%	2.8%	13.1%
Fidelity NASDAQ  ETF (Nasdaq: ONEQ)	+0.4%	6.0%	15.8%
ProShares Ultra Gold (NYSE: UGL)	-0.2%	1.3%	-23.9%
ProShares Ultra Real Estate (NYSE: URE)	+0.6%	2.1%	39.3%
ProShares Ultra Oil (NYSE: UCO)	-2.1%	-14.4%	-75.5%
WisdomTree US$  Bullish (NYSE: USDU)	+0.4%	3.3%	15.0%
iShares 20+ Yr. Treasury (NYSE: TLT)	-0.1%	-0.4	21.9%

Economic Report Schedule

Economists and market strategists alike will be focused on one data point Friday. The most widely followed economic report has been released, the monthly Employment Situation Report. It was better than expected for the month of February, but remember, good news is bad news now because of how it affects the Fed’s rate plans.

Nonfarm Payrolls showed job creation of 295K for the frigid month, far better than what was expected at 230K. Though January’s payroll figure was revised lower to 239K; December was unchanged above 300K. Private nonfarm payrolls also beat expectations, marking 288K jobs created versus expectations for 225K. Again the prior month was revised lower to 237K. The unemployment rate improved to 5.5%, where economists thought it would improve to 5.6%, from January’s 5.7%. Labor force participation deteriorated, though, so there will be the usual debate about whether the unemployment rate really tells the story.

Nonetheless, the jobs data was clearly positive, where a negative report could have been blamed on the weather. While revisions may later come, today investors have to contend with the fact that the economy appears to be doing better than expected. That means the Federal Reserve could be backed into a corner and forced to raise interest rates sooner than even they might like to, given recent dollar muscle building. As a result of the super strong report, stock futures moved lower before the open and it looks like the SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY) will have a slow start to the day.

ECONOMIC REPORT SCHEDULE
Economic Data Point	Prior	Expected	Actual
FRIDAY
Employment Situation Report
-Nonfarm Payrolls	239K*	230K	295K
-Private Payrolls	237K*	225K	288K
-Unemployment Rate	5.7%	5.6%	5.5%
International Trade	$-45.6 B*	$-41.8 B	$-41.8 B
Consumer Credit	$14.8 B	$15.0 B	3 PM ET

 *Revised

EPS Report Schedule

Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) is being added to the Dow Jones Industrial average, which I see as a positive for Apple and the Dow. For Apple, funds that track the Dow must now buy Apple, and so the stock rose 1.6% to start the day. The Dow, and the SPDR Dow Jones (NYSE: DIA) benefit because it is a price-weighted index, and Apple is sure to move the index with its superior price action to the company it replaces, AT&T (NYSE: T). The earnings day includes Staples (Nasdaq: SPLS) and Big Lots (NYSE: BIG).

HIGHLIGHTED EPS REPORTS
Company	Ticker
FRIDAY
Big Lots	NYSE: BIG
Cheetah Mobile	Nasdaq: CMCM
Chimerix	Nasdaq: CMRX
Foot Locker	NYSE: FL
Furmanite	NYSE: FRM
Global Sources	Nasdaq: GSOL
Gramercy Property Trust	NYSE: GPT
KVH Industries	Nasdaq: KVHI
Monroe Capital	Nasdaq: MRCC
New Home Co.	Nasdaq: NWHM
Noah Holdings	Nasdaq: NOAH
OFS Capital	NYSE: OFS
Southcross Energy Partners	NYSE: SXE
Staples	Nasdaq: SPLS
Tribune Media	Nasdaq: TRCO
Vantage Drilling	NYSE: VTG
Verso	NYSE: VRS

Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.

De Blasio's Blunder & Chris Christie's Crackup Screwed Up the Jobs Report

Regarding the Jobless Claims Report that showed claims lower than expected this week, which some in the media are pointing to as a reason to rally this morning; remember that worst blizzard in history thing? Yeah, well, no matter how weakly it panned out for much of the Northeast, thanks to the perhaps panicked actions of critically important governors and mayors it still paralyzed people across the most congested region of this nation. In Boston and parts of Long Island it actually did snow a lot and kept people indoors too. As a result, the phantom storm likely kept a good number of people from making it to report their loss of employment. And there’s a good reason for the prior week’s weakness as well, so I suggest looking to a different catalyst today if you want a real reason to buy stocks. See our full jobless claims report here. Article matters to SPDR S&P 500 (NYSE: SPY), Vanguard Total Market (NYSE: VTI), Robert Half (NYSE: RHI), Monster Worldwide (NYSE: MWW).

Please see our disclosures at the Wall Street Greek website and author bio pages found there. This article and website in no way offers or represents financial or investment advice. Information is provided for entertainment purposes only.