Key themes for the week ahead – US non-farm payrolls, growth momentum, and central bank speeches

It will be another big week of economic data and central bank speeches. Other things to be aware of this week; the lead-up to the debt ceiling limit, finalizing the passage of the Democrats spending bill in the Senate, OPEC+ meeting, and reactions to the new Covid-19 variant.

US Non-Farm Payrolls

Non-farm payrolls are expected to increase by +550k for Nov (compared to +531k in Oct). Payrolls growth before Oct had been revised higher which added to the FOMC case to begin the taper. Last week, Fed Governor Bostic noted that a faster taper could be possible. A stronger result for Nov may put this more firmly on the table. The FOMC meets 14/15 Dec so will likely have time to weigh up risks from a new Covid variant.

Growth Momentum

The final Nov Markit PMI’s will be released this week. Last week, the prelim Markit PMIs for Nov showed continued moderate output growth across manufacturing and services. Momentum in the Eurozone, Japan, and Aus was better than expected. Services growth was slower in the US and the UK. Supply constraints continued to hinder output growth (e.g., Germany auto manufacture), higher input price growth weighed more broadly, and selling prices also increased broadly.

The US ISM reports will be released this week – commentary and growth momentum (esp. in services) will be in focus. The headline ISM manufacturing index is expected to reach 61 in Nov (up from 60.8 in Oct). The headline ISM services index is expected to ease to 65.5 in Nov (from 66.7 in Oct).

Central Bank Speeches

This week there will be several central bank speeches including FOMC Chair Powell (Senate testimony), BoJ Governor Kuroda, and BoE Governor Bailey. There will be other US Fed Governor speeches – including Williams, Clarida, Bowman, and Quarles.

The renomination of Chair Powell and the nomination of Governor Brainard to Vice-Chair was announced last week.

This week, the US Treasury will auction and settle approx. $520bn in ST Bills, Notes, Bonds, and TIPS, raising approx. $54bn in new money. Approx. $45bn in ST Bills, Notes, and Bonds will mature on the Fed balance sheet this week and will be rolled over.

More detail (including a calendar of key data releases) is provided in the briefing document – download the pdf below:

Comments and feedback are welcome. Please email me at kim.mofardin@marscapitalpartners.net