Disappointing jobs data might mean more fodder for the Fed to cut rates
Dow futures are back above fair value this morning, with Wall Street hoping that disappointing private-sector payrolls data might be grounds for the Fed to potentially cut interest rates later this month. ADP reported payrolls growth of just 102,000, falling short of expectations for an increase of 135,000 -- and setting the stage for a possible miss when the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports June payrolls this Friday before the opening bell. It will be a shortened session for stocks today, with markets closing at 1 p.m. ET ahead of the Fourth of July Holiday.
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Stocks in Asia traded lower overnight. China's Shanghai Composite fell 0.9% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng dipped 0.1%, as traders digested a multi-month low in June's Caixin services purchasing managers index (PMI). Japan's Nikkei also closed in the red, giving back 0.5%, and South Korea's Kospi fell 1.2%.
Meanwhile, European benchmarks are managing to rise halfway through the session. Investors are still reacting to Tuesday's announcements of new nominees for leadership roles in the major European institutions, while a dovish speech from Bank of England (BoE) Governor Mark Carney is also in focus. London's FTSE 100 was last seen trading 0.7% higher, while France's CAC 40 and Germany's DAX are both sporting midday leads of 0.6%.