Nairalanceblog

Updated Sept. 4, 2026, 8:48 a.m. ETThe U.S. economy added a surprising 162,000 jobs in August, the Labor Department estimated Sept. 4, even as economists said a "low-hire, low-fire" dynamic continued to make it difficult for unemployed Americans to find work.The 162,000 estimate for August far surpassed forecasters’ expectations and marked a rebound after U.S. employers added a now-revised 21,000 jobs in July. Last month, the department estimated U.S. employers shed 23,000 jobs in July. Payroll gains for June were also revised higher, reflecting a stronger summer job market than previously thought. The unemployment rate stayed put at 4.1% in August after falling in June and July when hundreds of thousands of Americans stopped looking for work. The labor force participation rate ticked up to 61.6% in August after falling to 61.4% the month before. “There are always areas of concern in the labor market. For example, among recent graduates,” Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh said Aug. 28. “In general, though, people who want to work, by and large, are holding or finding jobs. They may well be concerned about future labor disruptions, but as of now, I believe the labor markets are broadly consistent with full employment.”Average hourly earnings...

Gold traders eye US jobs data as Fed tone turns more hawkishAccording to TD Securities, "Non-farm payrolls this Friday will be the next piece of data with keen interest for precious metals" as markets grapple with "the renewed hawkish tone from the Fed and the latest escalation in the energy market." However, the bank strikes a more constructive note beyond the immediate data risk, adding that "looking forward, we do not anticipate material downside as the landscape for precious metals has improved amid a renewed dollar debasement theme, while Fed hikes remain far from certain."Heading into the key data release, Governor Christopher Waller stated on Thursday that he is leaning toward keeping interest rates steady at the September FOMC meeting, provided there are no surprises from upcoming inflation data. Investors responded by pushing US bond yields and the USD sharply lower, which, in turn, assisted the Gold price to build on its recovery from a four-week low touched on Wednesday....