Thursday, August 2–Jim Wyckoff’s Morning Markets Report
OVERNIGHT DEVELOPMENTS
World stock markets were mostly higher overnight. U.S. stock indexes are pointed toward slightly higher openings when the New York day session begins. Traders and investors worldwide remain generally upbeat and risk-averse.
Traders are awaiting this morning’s U.S. jobs report for July. Wednesday’s ADP national employment report for July showed a rise of 219,000. That number was higher than the expected rise of 185,000. The non-farm payrolls number today is forecast to come in at up 190,000. The stronger ADP number suggests today’s figure could come in higher, too. Look for more active trading in the immediate aftermath of the jobs report. However, it’s also prime vacation season in the U.S. and Europe. Trading could well continue to be generally lackluster until after the U.S. Labor Day holiday.

