Daily News 8/31/2015

August 31, 2015

Monday – August 31

Investors around the globe will be eagerly awaiting the August Jobs Report, which is due to be released this Friday, September 4, at 9:30 a.m. ET. It is expected that employers added 217,000 new jobs during the month, down from the February high of 266,000. The Unemployment Rate is expected to fall to 5.2%, which would be the lowest level since April 2008. The jobs numbers will be one of the key deciding factors in the Federal Reserve’s decision as to whether or not to raise the Fed Funds Rate, the country’s benchmark interest rate in September.

The first of three key readings in the manufacturing sector was reported today showing that business activity in the Midwest region declined marginally in August, but still managed to show expansion. The Chicago PMI Index came in at 54.4, just shy of the 54.7 expected and down from the 54.7 recorded in July. Readings over 50 indicate expansion, below 50, contraction. The national ISM Manufacturing Index will be released on Tuesday.