Citi analysts believe the Federal Reserve remains on track to cut rates in June, despite recent talk suggesting the central bank may hold off.
In a research note Friday, the bank, reacting to the latest NFP data, said another strong jobs report leaves the labor market data where it was.
"Establishment hiring shows strength while the household survey and many other signs show weakness," wrote Citi.
They added: "303k new jobs in March were well-above Citi at 150k and consensus for 214k, leaving the three-month moving average at 276k. Household survey employment was up 498k on the month but is still down over the last four months, with the unemployment rate just slightly lower at 3.83% relative to 3.86%."
Citi explains that with Fed officials viewing stronger jobs data as good news on the supply side, the Fed remains on track to begin cuts in June, and, if activity holds up, "the Fed is likely to cut 75bp this year."
The bank's base case is that the labor market deteriorates, and the Fed cuts 125bp.