In addition to providing insight on the general strength of the economy, this report gives a sense of how many jobs employers are trying to fill. If that number is relatively high, it could mean there is a shortage of available workers and companies may have to offer higher wages to attract them. This leads to wage inflation, which is bad news for the stock and bond markets. Federal Reserve officials are always worried about the potential for inflationary pressures. When the employment index measuring job availability is falling,
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this bodes well for the bond market because it implies a drop in labor demand and perhaps an economic downturn. While the Fed worries about inflation, they also are concerned about rising unemployment. A rising jobless rate can mean a more accommodative monetary policy. The equity market prefers to see healthy economic growth and thus would rather see increases in the employment index. An increase in job demand means that consumers will have more money to spend on goods and services - and this ultimately affects profits.
GB - BOE Announcement
How does this affect the market?
The Bank of England Monetary Policy Committee consists of nine members. The Committee meets monthly, usually the first week in the month in order to determine the near-term direction of monetary policy. Changes in monetary policy are announced immediately after the meetings, but no details are available until the minutes are published two weeks later.
The Bank of England determines interest rate policy at their monetary policy meetings. The MPC is composed of the Governor, two Deputy Governors, two Bank Executive Directors, and four experts appointed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The MPC meets monthly (usually the first Wednesday and Thursday of the month) to determine interest rate policy. Unlike the Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, or the European Central Bank, the Bank of England has an established fixed inflation target of 2.5 percent. Because interest rate decisions affect market interest rates, to varying degrees, the Banks measure of inflation is the retail price index less mortgage interest payments (RPIX). As in the United States, market participants speculate about the possibility of an interest rate change at these meetings. If the outcome is different from expectations, the impact on British markets -- and to some extent in Europe -- can be dramatic and far-reaching. The interest rate set by the Bank of England, serves as a benchmark for all other rates. A change in the rate translates directly through to all other interest rates from gilts (fixed interest government securities named after the paper on which they were once printed) to mortgage loans. The level of interest rates affects the economy. Higher interest rates tend to slow economic activity; lower interest rates stimulate economic activity. Either way, interest rates influence the sales environment. In the consumer sector, few homes or cars will be purchased when interest rates rise.
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Furthermore, interest rate costs are a significant factor for many businesses, particularly for companies with high debt loads or who have to finance high inventory levels. This interest cost has a direct impact on corporate profits. The bottom line is that higher interest rates are bearish for the stock market, while lower interest rates are bullish.
EU - ECB Announcement
How does this affect the market?
The European Central Bank Governing Council consists of 16 members. The Committee meets twice a month. The first monthly meeting of the month is devoted to monetary policy. Changes in monetary policy are announced immediately after the meetings. A press conference is held about 45 minutes after the meeting ends. A statement is read concerning their action -- or lack of it -- followed by a question and answer period. Unlike other major central banks, the ECB does not publish meeting minutes or make voting records on monetary policy issues public.
The European Central Bank determines interest rate policy at their Governing Council meetings. The Council is composed of the six members of the Executive Council and 12 presidents of member central banks (Bank of France, Bundesbank, etc). The Governing Council meets twice monthly (usually the first and third Thursdays of the month). Monetary policy issues are generally discussed only at the first meeting of the month. The European Central Bank has an established inflation ceiling of 2 percent. The ECBs measure of inflation is the harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP). As in the United States, European market participants speculate about the possibility of an interest rate change at these meetings. If the outcome is different from expectations, the impact on European markets can be dramatic and far-reaching. The interest rates set by the ECB serves as a benchmark for all other rates in the eurozone. The level of interest rates affects the economy. Higher interest rates tend to slow economic activity; lower interest rates stimulate economic activity. Either way, interest rates influence the sales environment. In the consumer sector, few homes or cars will be purchased when interest rates rise. Furthermore, interest rate costs are a significant factor for many businesses, particularly for companies with high debt loads or who have to finance high inventory levels. This interest cost has a direct impact on corporate profits. The bottom line is that higher interest rates are bearish for the stock market, while lower interest rates are bullish.
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