Investing.com – Here’s a preview of the top 3 things that could rock markets tomorrow
Nonfarm payrolls
Nonfarm payrolls, arguably one of the most important economic updates of the month, will help investors assess the strength of the U.S. economy, and provide the dollar, U.S. 10-Year, and gold with fresh direction, as labor market conditions are one the measures the Federal Reserve considers in its monetary policy decisions.
Analysts forecast that the U.S. economy created about 179,000 jobs in June while the unemployment rate is expected to remained unchanged at 4.3%.
Heading into Friday’s nonfarm payrolls report, investor sentiment remained bearish, after private sector payrolls, widely viewed as precursor to nonfarm payrolls, showed a slowdown in private sector job creation, suggesting a cooling labor market.
Baker Hughes rig count
The weekly instalment of drilling activity from Baker Hughes on Friday, will be closely watched by investors, after data showed the number of U.S. drilling rigs dropped for the first time since January, last week.
The weekly rig count is an important barometer for the drilling industry and serves as a proxy for oil production and oil services demand.
At Thursday’s settlement price, crude futures remained on track to post a loss for the week, despite weekly U.S. inventory data showing a larger-than-expected draw in both gasoline and crude stockpiles.
UK manufacturing data
While most dollar currency pairs will be ‘in play’ because of non-farm payroll data, GBP/USD could be the ‘one to watch’ as UK manufacturing data due Friday is expected to show a pick-up in manufacturing activity.
UK manufacturing activity has undershot expectations for four months in a row, but that hasn’t detered analysts, who forecast a rise of 0.5% in manufacturing activity for May, compared to a 0.2% increase in the previous month.