U.S. Stocks May Lack Direction Following Mixed Jobs Data

Economic Data - Non-farm payroll employment in the U.S. increased by 64,000 jobs in November, following a decline of 105,000 jobs in October, surpassing economists' expectations of a 50,000 job increase [2][20] - The unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent in November from 4.4 percent in September, higher than the anticipated increase to 4.5 percent [2][21] - Retail sales in the U.S. were virtually unchanged in October, after a downwardly revised increase of 0.1 percent in September, while economists had expected a rise of 0.2 percent [3][21][22] - Excluding motor vehicle and parts dealers, retail sales increased by 0.4 percent in October, compared to a 0.1 percent rise in September, with expectations of a 0.3 percent increase for ex-auto sales [3][22] Stock Market Performance - Major U.S. stock indices showed a lack of direction, ending the previous session modestly lower, with the Nasdaq down 0.6 percent, S&P 500 down 0.2 percent, and Dow down 0.1 percent [4][5] - Initial buying interest was observed as traders sought to acquire stocks at reduced levels, but concerns over AI spending impacted stocks like Broadcom and Oracle [5][6] - The NYSE Arca Computer Hardware Index fell by 2.9 percent, reflecting a broader pullback in computer hardware stocks [6][7] International Markets - Asian stocks fell broadly as investors awaited U.S. jobs and inflation data, with the Shanghai Composite Index down 1.1 percent and the Hang Seng Index down 1.5 percent [10][11] - Japanese stocks declined, with the Nikkei 225 Index dropping 1.6 percent, influenced by a stronger yen and expectations of a Bank of Japan rate increase [12][13] - South Korean stocks also fell, with the Kospi down 2.2 percent amid concerns over AI sector profitability [14] European Markets - European stock markets exhibited mixed performance, with the French CAC 40 Index up by 0.1 percent, while the German DAX Index and the U.K.'s FTSE 100 Index were down by 0.3 percent and 0.5 percent, respectively [16] - The U.K. unemployment rate rose slightly to 5.1 percent in the three months to October, with average earnings excluding bonuses growing by 4.6 percent year-over-year [17]