What is US “non-farm data”?
U.S. “non-agricultural data” refers to three data
1. Non-agricultural employment: reflects the number of new jobs in all industries except the agricultural sector.
2. Employment rate: describes the proportion of people of working age who are employed.
3. Unemployment rate: describes the proportion of people in the working-age population who are not working but are actively looking for work.
Non-agricultural data is released once a month, usually on the first Friday of each month. The specific times are as follows:
- Summer time: 20:30 pm (Beijing time)
- Winter time: 21:30 pm (Beijing time)
Non-agricultural data is one of the most important economic indicators in the financial market and can significantly affect market conditions.
Nonfarm employment
- Higher than expected: If the number of non-farm payrolls released is higher than market expectations, it means that the U.S. economy is performing strongly and more people have found jobs. This will usually:
- Bullish for the U.S. dollar: Investors are optimistic about the U.S. economic outlook, increasing demand for the U.S. dollar.
- Negative for gold and non-U.S. currencies: As the U.S. dollar strengthens, investors may reduce demand for safe-haven assets (such as gold) and other currencies.
- Lower than expected: If the number of non-farm payrolls released is lower than market expectations, it means that the U.S. economy is performing poorly and the number of new jobs will decrease. This will usually:
- Negative for the U.S. dollar: Investors are worried about the U.S. economic outlook, reducing demand for the U.S. dollar.
- Bullish for gold and non-U.S. currencies: As the U.S. dollar weakens, investors may increase demand for safe-haven assets such as gold and other currencies.
unemployment rate
- Decline: A decline in the unemployment rate is usually seen as a signal of improving economic conditions, which may be bullish for the US dollar and bearish for gold and non-US currencies.
- Rise: Rising unemployment rates are generally seen as a sign of deteriorating economic conditions, which may be negative for the U.S. dollar and bullish for gold and non-U.S. currencies.
employment rate
- Rise: An increase in the employment rate means more people have jobs, which is usually seen as a sign of economic health, which may be bullish for the U.S. dollar and negative for gold and non-U.S. currencies.
- Decline: A decline in the employment rate means more people are unemployed, which is usually seen as a sign of unhealthy economic conditions and may be negative for the U.S. dollar and bullish for gold and non-U.S. currencies.