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.