Oil Prices Fall as Saudi Supply Concerns Ease 
Bessent, He Lifeng to Discuss AI Security and Trade in New York 
Iran Economic Crisis Forces Afghan Families to Return Home 
Supertanker Orders Surge as US-Iran War Reshapes Oil Trade 
South Korea Producer Prices Rise 0.2% in August 
Gold Rebounds Above $4,300 Despite Hawkish Fed Rate Hike 
Mexico Pushes for US Trade Deal Before Midterms 
Gold Prices Fall Amid Rate Jitters; Copper Steady as China Stimulus Eyed 
Strait of Hormuz Oil Shipments Hit Six-Month High as U.S. Clears Mines 
Venezuela Nears Deal to Move $4 Billion in Gold to New York Fed 
Add as a preferred source on Google
Labor market activity is a coincident indicator with GDP growth. Historical evidence shows that declining employment growth and a stable or rising unemployment rate has pre-dated every US recession since 1960.
For now, a solid US labor markets data signals that recession risk in US remains low. However, slowdown in consumer spending is a potentially worrying trend. Much of the weakness in growth can be traced to trade and manufacturing, two sectors that have underperformed and will likely continue to do so for some time.
Payroll and household employment rose by 851,000 and 987,000 respectively, in Q4. Data suggests that private consumption is being held back by other factors. Reduced spending on utilities was largely due to unseasonably warm weather, and hence will likely prove transitory.
