Schaeffer's Top Stock Picks for '25

U.S. Stocks Set to Rally After Red-Hot Jobs Report

The jobs data takes the focus off the recent trade war drama

Mar 9, 2018 at 9:15 AM
facebook X logo linkedin


U.S. stock futures are signaling a higher open, as investors react to this morning's staggering jobs data. Specifically, the nonfarm payrolls report for February blew past expectations, with the U.S. economy adding 313,000 jobs during the month. The unemployment rate, meanwhile, remained constant at 4.1%, while a 0.1% monthly rise in wage growth fell short of the forecast.

Elsewhere, traders are digesting reports President Donald Trump has agreed to meet with North Korea's Kim Jong-un in the coming months. Against this backdrop, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is set to open sharply higher, keeping it on pace for another weekly win, despite the recent tariff uncertainty.

Continue reading for more on today's market, including:

stocks today

5 Things You Need to Know Today

  1. The Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) saw 817,333 call contracts traded on Thursday, compared to 498,391 put contracts. The single-session equity put/call ratio moved back up to 0.61, and the 21-day moving average moved down to 0.64. 
  2. Zosano Pharma Corp (NASDAQ:ZSAN) is set to continue its ridiculous run higher today, with the shares up 14% in pre-market action. The drug stock has been moving higher following the company's announcement of a patent for its experimental migraine treatment a week ago. ZSAN is set to open near $22, after trading below $5 as recently as Feb. 26.
  3. Toy stocks Mattel (MAT) and Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS) are under pressure before the open after CNBC reported Toys 'R' Us may liquidate its U.S. operations. The news could hamper HAS stock's seasonal tailwinds, as the shares continue to hold near their 80-day moving average.
  4. Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE:BIG) is signaling a 10% drop at the open, after the company reported weak same-store sales for the fourth quarter. Such a move would put BIG shares below the 200-day moving average for the first time since September, and comes a day after fellow retailer Costco (COST) dipped on its own weak quarterly results.
  5. There are no earnings of note today. Next week's economic schedule features important inflation data, however.

stock market news march 9

Diplomatic Developments Guide Asian Stocks Higher

Markets in Asia finished higher to close out the week, boosted by optimism over North Korea's openness to discuss denuclearization with the U.S. this spring. The yen gave back some safe-haven gains to help Japan's Nikkei finish 0.5% higher -- despite deeper losses for steel stocks after Trump signed off on steel and aluminum tariffs. High hopes for an improving geopolitical climate propped up Seoul-listed tourism stocks, which boosted South Korea's Kospi by 1.1%, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng followed suit with its own 1.1% rise. China's Shanghai Composite closed up 0.6%.  

Stocks in Europe were lower at midday, as investors anxiously awaited the U.S. jobs report. Auto stocks continue to struggle on trade-war concerns, with fears exacerbated by weak monthly exports data out of Frankfurt. London's FTSE 100 is down 0.1% at last check, the French CAC 40 is just a hair below breakeven, while the German DAX has notched a 0.4% dip.

 
 

Which of These SUB-$5 Stocks Could 26x From Here? (AD)

He called a rare 11x on Tesla…

Then he called a 26x on Workhorse…

Then an even rarer 35x on Nio Inc…

Now Tim Bohen says these 5 tiny “America First” stocks are next up in 2025.

They’re trading for less than $5 right now.

But thanks to Elon & Trump’s new alliance…

They could be off to the races in Trump’s first 100 days.

And right now for a limited time…

You can get the names & tickers for just $1 here. (AD)

10 Stock Picks FREE
 
 

Featured Articles from Trusted Partners:

🚀 One Stock Pick Could Change Everything in 2025
What if one stock pick could define your success next year? Get 10 expert-vetted stocks set for 2025—plus 5 bonus picks to watch now. Get the Report →

🆕 New Options Need New Trading Strategies
Zero-DTE options are the newest (and hottest) options to trade.  Professional traders have rushed into the market and are making a mint.  Don’t get left behind - learn all about these options, how to trade them, market setups to profit from, plus much more. Download now →

👀 Revealed: 3 Defensive Stocks for Your Portfolio
Worried about the market? This free report reveals 3 under-the-radar defensive stocks for uncertain times in any kind of economy.

 

 
 

FREE Report Download

 

Follow us on X, Follow us on Twitter