Currencies mixed after jobless data

The United States unemployment rate dropped to 7,8 percent, a near four-year low, down from 8,1 percent, on Friday giving markets a welcome boost at the end of last week. There are different interpretations of the better unemployment figures, but the overall picture is that America’s labor market appears to be in better shape than originally thought, if only slightly. The chief economist of one of the world’s biggest banks stated that “The labor market situation in US is slowly improving”.

The most encouraging aspect of the data is the large and unexpected decline in the jobless rate which gives President Barack Obama some reason for joy after a disappointing first debate with this Republican opponent, Mitt Romney, last Wednesday. The fall in unemployment occurred due to the numbers of employed Americans soared by 873 000 while the number of unemployed fell by 456 000. A worrying signal though is the jump in part-time workers suggesting that many Americans are not finding the well paying full time positions they would like to see.

The dollar index fell 0,2 percent as the euro gained 0,3 percent to USD 1.3049. The euro is falling back in Asian trade during the morning hours and is at 1.2987 against the USD. There are nervousness regarding the meeting with EU finance ministers in Brussels today and Angela Merkel’s surprise visit to Greece tomorrow where an apparent cover up of a memory stick with a list of nearly 2 000 Greeks with Swiss bank accounts threatens to become a political firestorm with demonstrations against the Samaras-government.

The dollar, however, surged against the Japanese yen, gaining 0,5 % after the release of the better unemployment figures. The Yen also fell against the EURO. USD/JPY has recovered slightly in morning trade and stand at 78,54. Both crude oil and precious metals fell on the unemployment news. Brent crude is trading at USD 11,40 a barrel and gold is at 1772. The Asian stock exchanges are all trading down before the Brussels finance ministers meeting. Shanghai composite index fell 0,9 % after being closed one week for holidays.

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