Hua Er Jie Jian Wen·2026-01-09 07:45Core Viewpoint - The U.S. non-farm payroll report for December is highly anticipated, with expectations of a moderate recovery in the job market that could influence the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rates in January [1][4]. Employment Data Expectations - The consensus forecast for December non-farm employment is an increase of 70,000 to 75,000 jobs, a slight rise from November's 64,000 [1][5]. - Predictions for private sector job growth range from 23,000 to 155,000, with no institution forecasting negative growth [5]. - Factors influencing job growth include a potential boost from holiday retail hiring and a decrease in government employment due to hiring freezes [5]. Unemployment Rate Insights - The unemployment rate is expected to drop from 4.6% to 4.5%, which could support the Fed's decision to maintain interest rates [4][7]. - Some analysts predict a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.7%, which could prompt a 25 basis point rate cut [7]. - Broader labor market issues are emerging, with new graduates facing difficulties in job hunting, potentially underestimating the true unemployment situation [7][8]. Policy Implications - The upcoming non-farm report is crucial for the Fed's January policy meeting, with mixed opinions among decision-makers regarding rate cuts [9]. - Market pricing currently favors a pause in rate cuts, but strong employment data could shift this outlook [9]. Market Reactions and Strategies - Wall Street is preparing for potential volatility, with the S&P 500 index expected to fluctuate around 1.2% on the data release day [10]. - Scenarios for employment data suggest that job growth between 0 to 105,000 could positively impact the stock market, while stronger data might lead to declines due to rising bond yields [12]. - Defensive sectors like healthcare and consumer staples may attract investment as safe havens amid high stock valuations [10].