Jobs Shock: US Lost 92K Payrolls In February, Far Below Lowest Estimate, As Unemployment Rate Rises

Think "Weekends" Rather Than "Weeks" By Elwin de Groot, head of macro strategy  As another volatile week comes to an end, investors and market participants appear to be clinging to the hope that the two‑week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, which began on Wednesday, will not unravel entirely – at least until a direct, face‑to‑face exchange and clarification of key demands can take place during the planned talks in Islamabad this weekend. Near‑dated Brent crude edged up by $2 to $97, equity markets posted modest declines in Europe, whilst...

Iran Rejects Direct US Talks Amid Escalation As Israel Attacks Key Petrochemical Plant At South Pars Gas Field Summary:  A Sunday night Axios report on a US-proposed 45-day ceasefire has by Monday morning been rejected by Iran: diplomatic talks are "absolutely incompatible with ultimatums, crimes, and threats to commit war crimes," the Foreign Ministry said. Israel strikes large petrochemical plant at South Pars, which is responsible for half of the country’s petrochemical production. There's been another extension of what had been a 10-day deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz - a...

Here's What Happened Inside Gas Stations When Gas Hit $4 In Goldman's first-quarter "Nicotine Nuggets" survey of retailers and wholesalers covering roughly 44,000 U.S. stores, or about 28% of all tobacco outlets nationwide, analysts observed that once the national average for regular 87-octane gasoline hit the politically sensitive $4-a-gallon level, the squeeze on consumers began to emerge. One of the clearest signs of stress was a downshift in purchases as budget-conscious consumers started pulling back on tobacco purchases or, in some cases, trading down.  "The outlook remains cautious but retailers &...