At the heart of this storm is the latest US employment report, which has once again defied expectations, alongside the final approval of President Trump’s US$3.4 trillion tax and spending package. These events have sent ripples across asset classes, influencing everything from stock indices and Treasury yields to the US dollar, gold, oil, and even Bitcoin.

I want to share my perspective on their implications and interconnections, while grounding the discussion in the facts and data provided. My aim is to paint a clear picture of the current market landscape, delving into both the opportunities and risks that lie ahead.

The US employment report: Strength with subtle cracks

The US employment report for June has been a focal point for markets, delivering a headline number that suggests continued economic vigour. Nonfarm payrolls, which track the number of jobs added or lost outside the agricultural sector, rose by 147,000, well above the consensus estimate of 106,000. This marks the fourth consecutive month that the labour market has surprised to the upside, reinforcing the narrative of a resilient US economy.

A strong payroll figure typically signals that businesses are confident enough to expand their workforce, a sign of robust demand and economic health. Paired with this, the unemployment rate, a measure of the percentage of the labour force actively seeking work, eased unexpectedly to 4.1 per cent, better than the anticipated 4.3 per cent. This drop suggests a tightening labor market, which could pave the way for wage growth and bolster consumer spending, both critical drivers of economic activity.

However, the report isn’t without its nuances. Beneath these rosy headlines lies a softening in private activity growth, a detail that tempers the optimism. This softening could indicate that, while headline job creation remains strong, specific sectors —perhaps those tied to private investment or discretionary spending —are losing momentum.

From my perspective, this duality in the data is a reminder that economic strength isn’t uniform. The labor market’s resilience is encouraging, but the cracks in private activity suggest that policymakers and investors should remain vigilant. If this softening persists, it could signal broader challenges ahead, especially as the Federal Reserve weighs its next moves on interest rates.

Broader economic indicators: Signs of resilience

Beyond the employment report, other economic indicators suggest that the economy is holding its ground. Initial jobless claims, which count new filings for unemployment benefits, declined in the latest data, as did continuing claims, which track those receiving ongoing support. These reductions imply that job losses are slowing and that unemployed workers are finding new roles more quickly, both positive signs for labor market stability.

Additionally, the ISM Services index, a key gauge of activity in the services sector (which dominates the US economy), returned to expansion territory. A reading above 50 indicates growth, and this rebound suggests that the services sector is shrugging off any prior weakness, contributing to overall economic momentum.

These indicators bolster the case for cautious optimism. The decline in jobless claims aligns with the strong payrolls data, while the ISM Services rebound hints at broad-based resilience. However, I’d caution that these metrics are snapshots, backward-looking by nature, and don’t fully account for future uncertainties, such as the impact of new fiscal policies or global headwinds.

Still, for now, they reinforce the narrative of a US economy that’s weathering challenges better than many had feared.

President Trump’s tax and spending package: A double-edged sword

Shifting to the political arena, President Trump’s US$3.4 trillion tax and spending package has cleared a significant hurdle, passing the House with a razor-thin 218-214 vote. This landmark legislation blends tax cuts with significant spending increases, aiming to juice economic growth while addressing infrastructure and social priorities.

The tax reductions could put more money in the pockets of consumers and businesses, potentially spurring spending and investment. At the same time, the spending component promises to inject capital into the economy, supporting jobs and public projects.

The package’s passage is a double-edged sword. It’s a win for growth-oriented policies, likely contributing to the upbeat mood in equity markets. On the other hand, its hefty price tag raises red flags about the federal deficit, which is already substantial. Critics argue that this could fuel inflation in the long run, forcing the Federal Reserve to tighten monetary policy more aggressively.

The narrow vote margin underscores the contentious nature of this move—it’s a bold bet on growth, but one that hinges on execution and favorable economic conditions aligning. If successful, it could amplify the current economic momentum; if not, it risks exacerbating fiscal imbalances at a time when resilience is already being tested.

Stock markets: Riding the wave of optimism

The stock market has greeted these developments with open arms. The S&P 500 rose by 0.83 per cent, the NASDAQ climbed 0.99 per cent, and the Dow Jones gained 0.81 per cent. These gains reflect a wave of optimism, likely fuelled by the strong jobs data and the fiscal stimulus promised by Trump’s package.

Investors seem to be betting on higher corporate earnings and consumer demand, both of which could flow from these catalysts. However, early trading signals from Asian equity indices and US futures suggest a potential pullback, hinting at profit-taking or lingering doubts about the sustainability of the rally.

The rally is justified given the data, but it comes with risks. Stocks are sensitive to interest rate expectations, and as we’ll see with Treasury yields, the market is pricing in a shift. If rates rise too quickly, or if global risk sentiment sours, these gains could unwind. For now, though, the upward movement reflects a market eager to embrace good news—a classic case of sentiment driving prices, at least in the short term.

Treasury yields: The bear-flattening signal

The US Treasury yield curve offers a more sobering perspective, undergoing a sharp bear flattening. This phenomenon occurs when short-term yields rise faster than long-term ones, narrowing the gap between them. The two-year Treasury yield jumped 9.5 basis points to 3.880 per cent, while the 10-year yield rose 6.9 basis points to 4.346 per cent.

This shift is tied to the strong jobs report, which has recalibrated expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts. Investors now anticipate a tighter policy stance to curb potential inflation, pushing short-term yields higher as bond prices fall.

A flatter yield curve can signal mixed messages. Historically, an inverted curve (where short-term yields exceed long-term ones) has foreshadowed recessions, but we’re not there yet. Instead, this bear flattening suggests confidence in near-term growth, hence the rise in yields, but tempered expectations for the longer haul.

I view this as a natural market adjustment to the data. It serves as a reminder that borrowing costs are creeping up, which could eventually weigh on growth-sensitive sectors such as housing or corporate investment.

US dollar and gold: A tale of strength and retreat

The US Dollar Index, which tracks the dollar against a basket of major currencies, rose 0.4 per cent after the jobs report. A stronger dollar often follows robust economic data, as it boosts demand for dollar-denominated assets and signals tighter policy ahead. This strength, however, pressured gold, which slid 0.9 per cent to US$3,326 per ounce. Gold thrives in times of uncertainty or low interest rates, but with yields rising and the dollar strengthening, its appeal as a haven is diminishing.

I view the dollar’s recovery as a logical outcome of the data, though its export-dampening effects could pose challenges. Gold’s decline, meanwhile, doesn’t surprise me. It’s a classic reaction to this environment. That said, if geopolitical risks or inflation fears resurface, gold could regain its lustre quickly.

Brent crude: Balancing supply and demand

Brent crude oil slipped 0.4 per cent to US$69 per barrel, even as OPEC+ prepares to add 411,000 barrels per day in August. This drop likely reflects concerns about demand, possibly tied to global growth uncertainties, outweighing the supply increase for now.

The direction of oil prices will hinge on how demand holds up, especially in key markets like China, and whether OPEC+ adheres to its plan. The modest decline suggests a market in wait-and-see mode, which feels prudent given the mixed signals elsewhere.

Bitcoin: Volatility meets technical headwinds

Bitcoin’s journey has been a rollercoaster, rallying to US$110,500 before hitting resistance at US$110,000. Trading above US$109,000, it’s showing stability, but technical analysis reveals bearish divergences across multiple timeframes—15-minute, one-hour, four-hour, and daily charts.

These divergences, where price rises but momentum indicators like the RSI weaken, suggest a fading bullish momentum and a possible pullback to US$106,000-US$107,500. Despite this, long-term trends remain bullish, buoyed by US$603 million in net inflows into US spot Bitcoin ETFs, with Fidelity’s FBTC leading at US$237.13 million.

Bitcoin is cautiously mixed. The ETF inflows signal strong institutional interest, a bullish undercurrent. Yet, the technical warnings can’t be ignored. US$110,000 feels like a psychological ceiling that needs more conviction to break. Traders betting on US$112,000 might be right eventually, but the selling pressure suggests traps in the near term. I’d watch those support levels closely.

Wrapping up

The global financial markets are at a fascinating juncture. The US economy’s resilience, underscored by jobs data and fiscal policy, is driving risk sentiment forward, yet subtle cracks and technical signals urge caution.

Stocks and the dollar are riding high, but yields, gold, oil, and Bitcoin reflect a more complex reality. In my view, the interplay of these factors points to opportunity tempered by vigilance. Growth is here, but its sustainability depends on how these pieces evolve. For investors, staying informed and nimble will be key in navigating what’s next.

 

Source: https://e27.co/stocks-treasuries-gold-oil-and-bitcoin-in-motion-the-jobs-and-policy-effect-20250704/