The 3,001k initial claims surge to an unprecedented 3,283k in the third week of March dwarfed the 71k rise to 282k (was 281k) in the BLS survey week, as disruptions of COVID-19 accelerated dramatically on Monday, March 16, with mandated closures of businesses across multiple states. Last week’s smaller initial claims rise in the BLS survey week left what was still the highest level since September 2017, which suggests that the March establishment survey will capture at least a bit of the impact on the labor market evident in the second half of the month. Claims are averaging 1.259k in March, versus a 214k in February and a cycle-low 211k in January. We saw averages of 225k in December and 215k in November. The 282k BLS survey week reading sits well above recent readings of 215k in February, 220k in January, 229k in December and 223k in November.
For now, we’ll assume that claims will remain super-elevated over the coming weeks, as new layoffs at various retail establishments continue to fuel new claims. The March nonfarm payroll estimate sits at -100k, with a -157k private payroll drop that reflects the start of headwinds from travel-disruptions and other event cancellations. Expectations are for a -20k drop for factory jobs, as this report predated factory closures and a 47k March boost from Census hiring.
Meanwhile, pre-COVID-19 the US GDP report revealed small upward revisions for Q4 personal income that left growth of 3.1% (was 3.0%) for total income and 3.0% for disposable income, after growth of just 2.6% and 3.6% respectively in Q3. The savings rate was lowered in Q4 to 7.6% from 7.7%. The revised Q4 GDP data imply no net revision in Q4 productivity growth from 1.2%, after a -0.3% Q3 clip. We saw BLS output growth of 2.4% in Q4, after a 2.3% Q3 rate, and hours-worked growth of 1.2% in Q4 after a 2.7% Q3 rate. We expect a slight boost for hourly compensation growth to 2.2% from 2.1% in Q4 after a -0.1% Q3 pace, leaving unit labor cost growth of a revised 1.0% (was 0.9%) in Q4 after a 0.2% pace in Q3.
Cable recaptured 1.2000, EURUSD touched 1.0988 and USDJPY spiked under the key 109.50 to 109.36 before recovering to currently trade at 109.80.
Click here to access the HotForex Economic Calendar
Stuart Cowell
Head Market Analyst
Disclaimer: This material is provided as a general marketing communication for information purposes only and does not constitute an independent investment research. Nothing in this communication contains, or should be considered as containing, an investment advice or an investment recommendation or a solicitation for the purpose of buying or selling of any financial instrument. All information provided is gathered from reputable sources and any information containing an indication of past performance is not a guarantee or reliable indicator of future performance. Users acknowledge that any investment in Leveraged Products is characterized by a certain degree of uncertainty and that any investment of this nature involves a high level of risk for which the users are solely responsible and liable. We assume no liability for any loss arising from any investment made based on the information provided in this communication. This communication must not be reproduced or further distributed without our prior written permission.
