Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility




Resilient U.S. Jobs Growth Supporting Consumer Spending

October 10, 2023

 

Last week’s surprisingly strong labor report revealed the U.S. economy added twice as many jobs in September than expected. Strong job growth has continued to fuel consumers with the confidence to spend despite pressures from higher inflation.

 

Job gains have increased three times since July, to 336,000 in September. Meanwhile, real (after inflation) personal consumption grew 2.3% in August, on a year-over-year basis, which is near the highest of the year. This has occurred even as wages have cooled slightly over the past three months.

 

While lower wage growth helps slow inflation, the correlation between job gains and consumer spending illustrates why unemployment may need to increase before the Fed can pivot to rate cuts. However, the surge in oil prices could start to weigh on consumers. While prices pulled back from recent highs last week, the conflict in the Middle East has the potential to keep upward pressure on oil. We will be watching to see how higher oil prices are feeding into those stickier components of inflation including core services costs.

 

As long as the job market stays resilient, consumption - which accounts for 70% of GDP - should stay strong. That’s likely to keep upward pressure on bond yields and inflation. 

 

 

 

This material is provided for illustrative/educational purposes only. This material is not intended to constitute legal, tax, investment or financial advice. Effort has been made to ensure that the material presented herein is accurate at the time of publication. However, this material is not intended to be a full and exhaustive explanation of the law in any area or of all of the tax, investment or financial options available. The information discussed herein may not be applicable to or appropriate for every investor and should be used only after consultation with professionals who have reviewed your specific situation. The Bank of New York Mellon, DIFC Branch (the “Authorised Firm”) is communicating these materials on behalf of The Bank of New York Mellon. The Bank of New York Mellon is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. This material is intended for Professional Clients only and no other person should act upon it. The Authorised Firm is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority and is located at Dubai International Financial Centre, The Exchange Building 5 North, Level 6, Room 601, P.O. Box 506723, Dubai, UAE. The Bank of New York Mellon is supervised and regulated by the New York State Department of Financial Services and the Federal Reserve and authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority. The Bank of New York Mellon London Branch is subject to regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and limited regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority are available from us on request. The Bank of New York Mellon is incorporated with limited liability in the State of New York, USA. Head Office: 240 Greenwich Street, New York, NY, 10286, USA.  In the U.K. a number of the services associated with BNY Mellon Wealth Management’s Family Office Services– International are provided through The Bank of New York Mellon, London Branch, One Canada Square, London, E14 5AL. The London Branch is registered in England and Wales with FC No. 005522 and BR000818.  Investment management services are offered through BNY Mellon Investment Management EMEA Limited, BNY Mellon Centre, One Canada Square, London E14 5AL, which is registered in England No. 1118580 and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Offshore trust and administration services are through BNY Mellon Trust Company (Cayman) Ltd.  This document is issued in the U.K. by The Bank of New York Mellon. In the United States the information provided within this document is for use by professional investors.  This material is a financial promotion in the UK and EMEA. This material, and the statements contained herein, are not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any products (including financial products) or services or to participate in any particular strategy mentioned and should not be construed as such. BNY Mellon Fund Services (Ireland) Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (International) Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Trademarks and logos belong to their respective owners. BNY Mellon Wealth Management conducts business through various operating subsidiaries of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. ©2023 The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation. All rights reserved. WI-435404-2023-10-10

SUBSCRIBE