Market is looking for a NFP bounce back to +230K
The Q1 job statistics were a dud. In 2014, the average monthly job gain was 260 K. In the 1st 3 months of 2015 the average has fallen to 197K. This is on par with the average job gains seen in 2013 (199K) and 2012 (188K). Is it temporary? Will April bring about improvement?
The initial unemployment claims move to new 4-week average low levels going back to May 2000. The ISM nonmanufacturing employment employment rose slightly to 56.7 from 56.6, but the manufacturing component slipped to 48.3 from 50.0. Goods producing jobs were negative last month due to the slump in the oil sector. Will that trend continue in April? Average hourly earnings will be released with expectations for a 0.2% gain (was 0.3% last month).
Below are a look at the trends in various employment statistics.
