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Non-farm payrolls disappoint, combining with higher oil to unleash stagflation fears

The US job creation engine decelerated sharply last month, partially reversing market bets on a more hawkish policy stance from the Federal Reserve this year. According to data just released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 92,000 jobs were lost in February—representing a major downside surprise relative to the 55,000-consensus forecast—while the previous two months were revised down by a total 69,000 positions, bringing the three-month average pace of job creation to 6,000, well below the 73,000 recorded ahead of the update. The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.4 percent from 4.3 percent in January, missing market expectations for a...

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Market swings continue

• Oil jump. Another move higher in oil prices because of Middle East concerns dampened risk sentiment. Equities fell. USD firmer. AUD underperforms.• Macro worries. Higher energy prices pose an upside risk to inflation & downside risk to growth. More bouts of market & AUD volatility likely. Global Trends Market volatility related to developments in the Middle East and swings in the oil price continued overnight. This time sentiment soured once again with the US/Israel strikes on Iran showing little sign of easing after several days of conflict. Indeed, the conflict appears to be widening across the region with more...

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Fog of war settles on currency markets, leaving trading directionless

Good morning. Currency markets are still struggling to navigate conflicting signals from the Middle East. Iran’s deputy foreign minister reportedly told Sky News Arabia that Tehran might be willing to surrender its enriched uranium stockpile in “return for something good”, but an empty tanker was struck off the coast of Kuwait overnight, pointing to a widening campaign against Gulf shipping. Against that backdrop, ten-year Treasury yields are rising for a fourth consecutive day, equity futures are little changed, and the dollar is edging higher. The euro, sterling and yen are all on the defensive, yet holding above key technical levels...

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Markets enjoy moment of respite on hopes for end to Mideast conflict

An uneasy sense of calm is settling on currency markets this morning as signs emerge that the conflict in the Middle East may be approaching a negotiated end. According to the New York Times, Iranian intelligence officials have made indirect contact with their US counterparts to “discuss terms for ending the conflict,” dovetailing with a shift in tone from president Trump, who said in a Sunday interview “What we did in Venezuela, I think, is the perfect scenario,” —suggesting that he is willing to step back from earlier demands for regime change in Tehran. Selling pressure eased in yesterday’s session...

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Middle East concerns rattle markets

• Market swings. Middle East conflict generated a burst of volatility overnight. Equities declined, oil prices rose. AUD traded in a ~2.5% range yesterday.• Macro news. AU Q4 GDP today. RBA Gov. Bullock noted the March meeting is “live”. China PMIs also due. US ISM services & ADP employment out tonight. Global Trends The broadening conflict in the Middle East and concerns that it could drag on longer than the “4 to 5 weeks” touted by President Trump rattled market nerves overnight. Risk sentiment soured as ‘stagflation’ worries took hold given the prospect of a simultaneous slowdown in growth and...

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