© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., March 7, 2024. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/FILE PHOTO
(Reuters) – Futures for the turned positive on Friday after an uptick in the unemployment rate and slowing wage growth boosted expectations that the Federal Reserve could begin cutting interest rates by the middle of this year.
The unemployment rate rose to 3.9% against expectations it would remain steady at 3.7% while average hourly earnings rose 0.1% on a monthly basis compared to expectations of 0.3% growth.
The Labor Department’s report also showed non-farm payrolls rose by 275,000 jobs last month, against expectations of an increase of 200,000.
At 8:32 a.m. ET, were down 23 points, or 0.06%, were up 9.5 points, or 0.18%, and were up 25.5 points, or 0.14%.