Markets React to Nonfarm Payrolls Surprise and Wage Gains

📰 Key Update of the Day

The March nonfarm payrolls report showed a stronger-than-expected 324,000 job increase and higher-than-anticipated average hourly wage growth.

🔍 Quick Summary

U.S. employment growth exceeded forecasts, signaling continued labor market strength. Wage gains also outpaced estimates, raising concerns about persistent inflation pressures. Markets quickly digested the data, with Treasury yields rising and equities showing initial weakness before stabilizing. The report suggests the Federal Reserve may remain cautious on interest rate cuts in the near term.

📈 Impacted Stock / ETF

iShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (TLT) fell as rising yields pressured long-duration bonds.

🧭 What This Means

Investors may brace for sustained Fed tightening or delayed easing.
Risk sentiment could remain cautious amid inflation worries.
Fixed income assets face pressure from steeper yield curves.