Job Numbers Push Stocks Higher Friday Morning

First Look

Stocks are pointed toward a higher open Friday morning. Trade optimism is again setting the tone for markets. This morning's headline is that China is reportedly processing waivers for some tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods that were imposed a part of the trade war. The monthly employment situation report showed the economy added 266,000 nonfarm jobs in November, which topped expectations for an increase of 182,000. The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.5%. Average hourly earnings rose by seven cents, pushing the increase over the last 12 months to 3.1%. The Nasdaq is up 0.3%, the Dow Jones is up 0.19%, the S&P 500 is up 0.18%.

Today's Sentiment

Quote of the Day

Rude people will now & then ask me why I think I know so much about politics. I tell them it's because I'm smart... But that is a lie; The real reason is because I'm an incurable gambling addict.
Hunter S. Thompson

Stocks on the Move

Ulta Beauty Inc (ULTA), Xerox Holdings Corp (XRX) and Carnival Corp (CCL) are moving higher this morning, while A. O. Smith Corp (AOS), TechnipFMC PLC (FTI) and Tapestry Inc (TPR) are headed lower. Epizyme Inc (EPZM), Huazhu Group Ltd (HTHT) and MARKS & SPENCER/S ADR (MAKSY) were upgraded by analysts this morning, while Ciena Corporation (CIEN), Audentes Therapeutics Inc (BOLD) and J.Jill Inc (JILL) were downgraded.

International Markets

Stocks in Asia are mixed. The Hang Seng is up 1.07%, the Shanghai SE Composite Index is up 0.43%, the Australia ASX All Ordinaries is up 0.33% the Nikkei 225 is up 0.23% and the Mumbai Sensex is down -0.82%. In Europe stocks are up. The FTSE 100 is up 0.78%, the Euro Stoxx 50 is up 0.39%, the CAC 40 is up 0.31% and the DAX is up 0.15%.

Futures & Currencies

Energy futures are down today. The price for West Texas Intermediate crude oil is down -0.34 at 58.09 per barrel. Brent crude is down -0.22 at 63.17 per barrel. Natural Gas is down -0.02 at 2.41. Precious metals are down this morning. Gold is down -0.29 at 1475.71 per ounce. Platinum is down -0.89 at 897.3 while silver is down -0.04 at 17.02. The dollar is mixed compared to the major currencies today. The greenback is up against the euro, down against the Yen and up against the Pound.

Put/Call Ratio

Yesterday, 1,253,768 call contracts traded on the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) compared to 1,107,341 put contracts. The single-session put/call was 0.88 while the 20-day moving average is now at 0.67.

Today's Economic Calendar

Earnings Expected Today