US DATA: Conference Board Labor Differential Points To Slowly Cooling Job Market
Consumer confidence unexpectedly pulled back in December after reaching a 3-year high in November, with the Conference Board's index dropping to a 3-month low 104.7 (113.2 survey) from 112.8 (rev from 111.7). This was largely down to expectations fading, to 81.1 from 93.7; "present situation" was fairly steady, dipping to 140.2 from 141.4.
- However, the closely-watched labor differential metric (jobs plentiful minus jobs hard to get) improved for the 3rd consecutive month to 22.2 from 18.4, for the highest reading since May. That included 37% saying jobs were "plentiful", and just under 15% saying jobs were "hard to get", respectively the highest and lowest since May.
- We don't take great signal from the headline confidence figures, as they are volatile (the latest reading being impacted by concerns over potential government policy shifts including tariffs), and the level is broadly consistent with continued robust consumption rather than any change in trend.
- But the labor market differential continues to point to a cooling but not rapidly deteriorating labor market. Overall it suggests that the trend increase in the unemployment rate will remain fairly slow.
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AUSSIE 3-YEAR TECHS: (Z4) Bearish Backdrop Building
- RES 3: 96.380 - High Mar 21 2023
- RES 2: 97.190 - High May 5 2023
- RES 1: 96.730/932 - High Sep 17 / 76.4% of Mar-Nov ‘23 bear leg
- PRICE: 95.920 @ 16:46 GMT Nov 21
- SUP 1: 95.760 - Low Nov 13
- SUP 2: 95.750 - Low 27 Nov ‘23
- SUP 3: 95.480 - Low Jan 11 2023 and a major support
Prices hit a fresh pullback low at 95.760 across the global rates sell-off, extending losses on the break through 96.080 support. This confirms the downside bias, with support undercutting at 95.750 below ahead of major support of 95.480. For any corrective recovery to take hold, markets need to retake the 96.00 handle on a closing basis.
US TSYS: Underperforming Global Peers In Twist Flattening Move
Treasuries closed Friday little changed, underperforming global peers.
- Futures traded within Thursday's ranges, with data having little lasting impact: November flash services PMI was much stronger than expected and the highest since March 2022, though soft employment and output price inflation metrics softened the impact.
- Elevated final November UMichigan survey long-term inflation expectations saw Treasuries hit the worst levels of the day, but the move reversed.
- The limited move in yields stood in contrast to pronounced gains in Europe, where weaker-than-expected PMIs renewed concern over regional growth and boosted ECB rate cut pricing. That helped boost Treasuries in overnight trade, but as noted, the US rate move subsided.
- Futures volumes remained robust (2.4M TYZ4), though again it was largely quarterly roll-related.
- The curve twist flattened on the day, and Friday's moves left 10Y yields just 2bp lower on the week.
- Latest levels: The Dec 24 T-Note future is up 5/32 at 109-21, having traded in a range of 109-16.5 to 109-26.5. 2-Yr yield is up 1.8bps at 4.3665%, 5-Yr is down 0.9bps at 4.2948%, 10-Yr is down 1.8bps at 4.4041%, and 30-Yr is down 1.1bps at 4.5906%.
- MNI's weekly US macro wrap is here (PDF).
- Next week's schedule is condensed by the Thanksgiving holiday, with highlights including FOMC Minutes (MNI Preview here - PDF) and GDP/PCE data.
OPTIONS: US Options Summary
Friday's US rates/bond options flow included:
- SFRZ4 95.50/95.56/95.62c fly, bought for 0.75 in 5k total.
- SFRF5 95.75/95.62/95.50p fly, bought for 3 in 5k.
- SFRM5 96.50/97.00cs, sold at 5.25 in 8k.
- SFRM5 97.00/97.50c strip vs SFRZ5 97.50c, bought the strip for flat in 5k
- SFRZ5 96.125 ^ sold at 87.5 in 500
- 2QH5 97.25/97.50cs, bought for 1.5 in 5k
