Is the Jobs Data a Concern? – Analyst Blog
Charles Rotblut (October 1st, 2009) Writes:
Fears about the pace of the recovery have caused stocks to tumble. Technology stocks are being particularly hit hard with NVIDIA (NVDA) and Micron Technology (MU) down by more than 5% on the day. Financials and homebuilders are also faring poorly. Both Zions Bancorp (ZION) and Lennar (LEN) have large intraday losses.
At the heart of the problem is the labor situation. The employment component in the ISM Survey worsened slightly to 46.2. (Readings over 50 signal expansion, or in this case, hiring.) Initial jobless claims also rose, reversing a previously weekly improvement. Dirk van Dijk pointed out on our Analyst Blog, "In recent weeks progress on claims has stalled out and become erratic."
Compounding matters is the Monster Employment Index, which also worsened. The index declined to 119 last month from 121 in August. Monster Worldwide Vice President Jesse Harriott observed, "U.S. ...


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