Bad news is good news again as Wall Street bets on a Fed pause

On October 3, the US stock market experienced an upward trend as weak employment data dampened expectations of Federal Reserve rate hikes. Major indices were mostly positive throughout the day after a weak September jobs report revealed only 29,000 new jobs created, falling short of the anticipated 90,000. The unemployment rate rose to 4.2%, a concerning sign for economic growth.

The market seemed to benefit from the situation, as Chris Low of FHN Financial noted, "Today's report may revive the 'bad news is good news' narrative." However, eToro analyst Bret Kenwell cautioned that hoping for a weaker labor market to secure easier financial conditions was a poor trade-off. The S&P 500 closed up 0.7%, with 10 of the 11 sectors in positive territory.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell as the G7 nations collaborated to release strategic fuel reserves through the International Energy Agency, aiming for a coordinated release of 100 million barrels over four months. This move was intended to alleviate the immediate price shock, while no diesel export ban would be imposed among the G7 countries.

The US oil sector saw a significant drop, with the benchmark falling by around five percent at one point, before stabilizing at around US$91.11 per barrel. Brent crude prices also experienced a slight decline of 0.1%, settling at US$102.25 per barrel. The situation in the Eurozone worsened, with inflation reaching 3.8%, the highest level in three years, driven by the ongoing Middle East conflict and increased energy costs.

This inflation surge was a concern, as it impacted various sectors, including freight, food, industry, and ultimately, bond yields. Notably, Nike reported a decline of 3.6% in its stock value, citing a projected drop in full-year sales and plans to cut an unspecified number of jobs while attempting to revitalize its business.