KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20 (Bernama) -- Bursa Malaysia ended higher on Friday in line with most Asian markets, mirroring gains from Wall Street, where investors welcomed the US Federal Reserve's substantial interest rate cut. The FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) rose by 3.17 points, or 0.19 per cent, to 1,668.82 at the close from Thursday's close of 1,665.65. It opened 5.03 points higher at 1,670.68, trading between 1,668.48 and 1,674.04 throughout the session. In the broader market, gainers outpaced decliners 732 to 468, while 465 counters were unchanged, 850 untraded and 32 suspended. Turnover swelled to 4.19 billion units worth RM5.97 billion, from Thursday's 3.99 billion units worth RM4.08 billion. UOB Kay Hian Wealth Advisors head of investment research, Mohd Sedek Jantan, noted the FBM KLCI's gains were led by utilities, logistics, and banking stocks, reflecting improved market sentiment. Additiona
Key Takeaways:
- Market Positioning Ahead of Jobs Report: With markets at near all-time highs, the immediate impact of the Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) report may be muted due to the holiday-shortened trading week.
- Sector-Specific Employment Trends: Anticipated job increases in government, healthcare, and technology sectors provide strategic investment insights.
- Impact of Federal Reserve Policies: Recent employment data and the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest rates suggest limited chances of a rate cut in the near term.
- Monitoring Unemployment Claims: The latest jobless claims data indicate mixed signals, with overall unemployment benefits increasing, hinting at underlying labor market dynamics.
- Sector Vulnerabilities: Investors should remain cautious about sectors vulnerable to inflation and high interest rates, such as consumer discretionary and retail.
Market Context and Jobs Report Implications:
As the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) prepares to release the June Non-Farm Payroll (NFP) report on July 5, 2024, the timing coincides with the Independence Day holiday, resulting in a shortened trading week. Markets will close early on July 4 and 5, likely delaying any significant reaction to the jobs report until the following week. With equity indices hovering near all-time highs, the immediate relevance of the NFP report might be dampened.
Sector-Specific Employment Trends:
Investors should expect continued job increases in specific sectors based on recent trends. In May, notable employment gains were seen in government, leisure and hospitality, private education, healthcare services, and professional and business services. The technology sector, despite reports of layoffs, also showed resilience with job growth in professional and business services.
Federal Reserve Policies and Employment Data:
The Federal Reserve’s interest rate hike cycle, which began in March 2022 and peaked at 5.6% by July 2023, aimed to temper inflation and a robust labor market. Despite these efforts, the labor market remains tight, as evidenced by the 272,000 jobs added in May 2024. This robust job creation diminishes the likelihood of an imminent rate cut, as indicated by JP Morgan’s analysis.
Unemployment Claims and Labor Market Dynamics:
On June 27, the Labor Department reported a decline in initial jobless claims by 6,000 to 233,000. However, the four-week moving average increased by 3,000, with 1.84 million Americans collecting unemployment benefits for the eighth consecutive week. This mixed data highlights the complex dynamics within the labor market, necessitating careful monitoring.
Sector Vulnerabilities and Investment Strategies:
May’s employment report showed negligible changes in resource sectors like mining, quarrying, oil and gas extraction, and construction. Notable declines in stocks from companies like Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), Southern Copper (SCCO), Cleveland-Cliffs (CLF), and Chevron (CVX) indicate sector-specific vulnerabilities. Conversely, Kinross (KGC), a gold miner, bucked the trend with a slight gain and strong buy ratings.
Investor Strategy and Conclusion:
While the NFP report’s immediate impact on stock markets may be limited due to the holiday-shortened trading week, it remains a crucial indicator of underlying economic health. With the Federal Reserve signaling at least one rate cut this year, the June jobs report will likely reaffirm its monetary policy stance.
Investors should closely monitor bond yields, especially as the 30-year Treasury (US30Y) gained significantly, affecting both the 20+ year Bond (TLT) and the 7-10 year ETF (IEF). Given the current economic landscape, investors are advised to avoid sectors sensitive to inflation and high interest rates. Recent declines in shares of companies like Nike (NKE) and Walgreens Boots (WBA) underscore the risks in consumer discretionary and retail sectors.
Strategically, focusing on sectors with anticipated job growth, such as government, healthcare, and technology, while being cautious of inflation-sensitive sectors, will be key to navigating the post-June jobs report market environment.
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