Big AU jobs print impacts ASX200

While the FOMC meeting came and went mostly as expected, it’s been a different story following the release of Australia jobs data that was so far beyond consensus expectations, some mild scepticism could be excused.

Due to the ongoing lockdown in Victoria and July’s +114.7k increase in jobs, the expectation heading into today’s jobs data was for a -40k fall in jobs. Although pointed out in Tuesday’s article because of the methodology variation between the payroll and ABS survey measures, a +40k print wouldn’t have surprised either.

To settle the argument, it was suggested to focus on the unemployment rate, that was expected to increase from 7.5% to 7.7%, its highest level since 1998.

In an unexpected twist, employment increased by another +111k in August and the unemployment rate dropped from 7.5% to 6.8%!

Taking some gloss off the headline number, part-time jobs accounted for +74.8k of today's gains. Nonetheless, many of the jobs lost during April and Mays lockdown appear to have returned.

The implications of this are that the Australian economy continues to do better expected, and with households sitting on a large pile of savings, it reduces the urgency for the RBA to consider and implement “further monetary measures” it mentioned in its last Board meeting.

The prospect of less stimulus from the RBA hasn’t been particularly well received by the ASX200, already on the back foot this morning, with iron ores 10% pullback from recent highs weighing on the big miners.

Not helping either, a sell-down in U.S equity futures as hopes of a 4^th U.S. stimulus package before the November 4^th election, continue to recede.

Technically, the ASX200 remains within a range between 6200 and 5800/5700, a range that has been in place since early June. Should todays sell-off continue, the preference is for the ASX200 to again find support at the bottom of the range, before a recovery towards 6600 into year-end.

Keeping in mind, should the ASX200 see a sustained break below 5700, the initial downside projection is 5400.

Source Tradingview. The figures stated areas of the 17th of September 2020. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.  This report does not contain and is not to be taken as containing any financial product advice or financial product recommendation