US Payrolls and Inflation Data Take Center Stage as Q4 Begins

The third quarter is drawing to a close, and investors are now focusing on US payrolls, inflation data, and central-bank policy. The Euro zone and Japanese price data will also provide clues about the global interest-rate outlook.

The final quarter of the year begins with bond markets unsettled by geopolitical tensions, fiscal concerns, and heavy investment in artificial intelligence. Global borrowing costs have climbed to their highest levels since the 2007-08 financial crisis, even as major stock indexes remain close to record highs.

The US nonfarm payrolls report for September is due on Friday, and economists expect the US economy to have added around 100,000 jobs, with an unemployment rate of 4.2%. This data will be closely watched for clues about the Federal Reserve's next rate move.