Today, Friday, features Michigan Consumer Sentiment at 10:00 am and Fed speeches by Williams and Kashkari starting 10:30 am. Next Wednesday, ADP Employment and ISM Manufacturing PMI at 8:15 am and 10:00 am will signal growth trends. The primary focus is next Thursday at 8:30 am, with Nonfarm Payrolls and Average Hourly Earnings likely sparking major volatility. With the Fed monitoring cooling labor, these prints are critical for upcoming interest rate trajectory and recession fears.
Expect heightened volatility on Thursday morning; traders should hedge positions before the 8:30 am NFP release. Monitor Wednesday's ISM data for signs of stagflation, as any upside surprise in manufacturing prices alongside weak employment could pressure equities.
Ed Liston is a senior contributing editor at TheStockMarketWatch.com. An active market watcher and investor, Ed guides an independent team of experienced analysts and writes for multiple stock trader publications.