Encouraging US Jobs Report Bolsters UK Market

Signs of strengthening fundamentals in the US employment market triggered a strong and positive response on global markets

Morningstar.co.uk Editors 6 May, 2011 | 6:52PM
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Significantly better than expected US non-farm payrolls summoned the bulls in afternoon deals on Friday and the FTSE 100 resumed its climb but finished shy of the 6,000-point mark.

The US economy added 244,000 jobs in April, with the private sector actually creating 268,000 new jobs and the public sector subtracting 24,000. The figure exceeded most economic forecasts and gave a major boost to equity markets on both sides of the Atlantic. Bob Johnson, Morningstar’s Director of Economic Analysis, pointed out that this number, along with revisions to previous months’ data, marks a third month of strong growth in US labour markets and the US economic growth is poised to continue improving. “Today’s report bodes for an acceleration in some of the GDP numbers we will see in the weeks and months ahead” he said, adding that US first-quarter GDP is also likely to be revised upwards as a result of the improved labour market figures.

In the UK, the FTSE 100 closed the trading day 1.0% or 57 points higher at 5,976, almost reversing its 1.1% tumble on Thursday and ending the week with a decline of 0.7%. The FTSE 250 moved 0.5% or 62 points ahead to 11,907 and gained 0.8% on the week overall.

In morning UK trade, ahead of the US jobs report, equity markets were relatively quiet and paid little attention to the UK producer price index for April, which surprised on the upside with a 2.6% year-on-year rise.

Among individual market movers, oil and mining majors gained, having been badly hit by a steep decline in commodity prices earlier in the week. Anglo American (AAL), Tullow Oil (TLW) and Vedanta Resources (VED) achieved the greatest sector gains, up 3.3%-3.7% each.

Meanwhile, BP (BP.) added 3.1% after an arbitral tribunal permitted a $16 billion share swap between the oil major and Russia’s OAO Rosneft on the condition that a planned joint Arctic exploration deal is done through BP’s joint venture TNK-BP. BP confirmed that it would be willing to go ahead with the transfer of its share of the Arctic oil exploration consortium to TNK-BP, and the latter also welcomed the decision.

Within the commodity complex, crude and precious metals began to reverse their losses and Brent Crude appreciated by 0.4%.

In addition to blue chip commodities, bargain hunters moved into financials, bolstered by Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), which announced a 19% increase in first quarter operating profits. RBS was the FTSE 100’s top gainer Friday, up 5.6%. Lloyds Banking Group’s (LLOY) own results yesterday, which contained a larger-than-expected loss after the bank took a substantial hit on the back of PPI mis-selling, caused the company shares to take a beating on Thursday. Lloyds bounced back on Friday, rising 1.1%.

Elsewhere, ITV (ITV) advanced 4.9% on the back of an upbeat note from analysts at JP Morgan.

Among the relatively few FTSE 100 fallers, Man Group (EMG) lost 1.9%, having traded strong following a successful fund raising for the launch of its largest fund. Inmarsat (ISAT) fell 1.7% ahead of its first-quarter results announcement on Monday.

The information contained within is for educational and informational purposes ONLY. It is not intended nor should it be considered an invitation or inducement to buy or sell a security or securities noted within nor should it be viewed as a communication intended to persuade or incite you to buy or sell security or securities noted within. Any commentary provided is the opinion of the author and should not be considered a personalised recommendation. The information contained within should not be a person's sole basis for making an investment decision. Please contact your financial professional before making an investment decision.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

About Author

Morningstar.co.uk Editors  analyse and report on shares, funds, market developments and good investing practice for individual investors and their advisers in the UK.

© Copyright 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use        Privacy Policy        Modern Slavery Statement        Cookie Settings        Disclosures