US jobs data boosts stocks as oil prices dip

On Friday, September 30, US job market data showed an increase of 29,000 jobs in September, falling short of analysts' predictions of 90,000. The unemployment rate edged up to 4.2 percent. Despite the lackluster performance, major US indices remained in positive territory due to a 100 million barrel coordinated release of strategic fuel reserves by G7 countries.

This move was initiated following an emergency meeting chaired by French President Emmanuel Macron, with the US and other G7 nations threatening a diesel export ban. As a result, US oil prices plummeted by up to 5 percent, with the benchmark closing at US$91.11 per barrel. Brent crude, an international benchmark, decreased by 0.1 percent to US$102.25 a barrel.

Analysts noted that while the strategic oil release may alleviate some price shock, it does not bode well for inflation and bond yields. In other news, Eurozone inflation surged to 3.8 percent in September, driven by heightened energy costs due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict.