Non-Farm Payroll Holiday

When unfortunate news is disclosed
On a day that the market is closed,
Investors are hopin'
That, at the next open,
It's better than firstly supposed.

The US stock market was closed for Good Friday, as were European exchanges, and thus could not react to the surprisingly weak employment data that came out on that day. The Bureau of Labor Statistics announced at 8:30 AM last Friday that non-farm payrolls increased by 120,000, much less than the 200,000+ increases in the previous three months, and definitely below expectations. Unable to trade on the news, market professionals thus had all of a three-day weekend to mull it over, a weekend punctuated by Easter and Passover celebrations. Is it possible that festive gatherings with family afforded the trading community a new perspective? We'll find out on Monday at 9:30 AM on Wall Street.

Questions, Fundamental & Technical

"Dad," asked the girl with a frown,  
"Why are bond prices up, and yields down?"
"In a bull market trend,  

One will likely expend  

More pence for that guaranteed Pound."    


"Mom," asked the boy with a frown,
"What makes equities hop up and down?"
"Earnings releases,  
And stock-picking theses  
With words from wise men of renown."