Jobs Surge Sparks Fed Caution

Date: February 12, 2026

Jobs Surge Sparks Fed Caution

Summary

Market Snapshot

Prior Close
Asset Level Days Change
S&P 500 6,950.50 -0.01%
Nasdaq 23,066.47 -0.16%
Spot VIX 17.34 -1.76%
2 Year Bond Yield 3.52 -1 bps
10 Year Bond Yield 4.18 0 bps
EUR/USD 1.1881 +0.09%
USD/JPY 153.13 -0.05%
GBP/USD 1.364 +0.17%
WTI Oil 63.96 -0.62%
Gold 5,063.41 -0.42%
Bitcoin 68,149.58 +1.66%

Prior Economic Events

Data Prior Cons Actual
MBA 30-Year Mortgage Rate6.21-6.21
Payroll Jobs Growth48,00070,000130,000
Headline Unemployment Rate4.404.404.30
Monthly Wage Growth0.100.300.40
Annual Wage Growth3.703.603.70
Labor Force Participation62.40-62.50
Speech by Fed's Bowman---
EIA Weekly Crude Oil Inventory-3.5m800,0008.5m
EIA Weekly Gasoline Inventory685,000-400,0001.2m
Monthly Budget Statement-145m-86.5m-95m

Upcoming Economic Events

Data Prior Cons Time
Weekly Jobless Claims231,000222,00008:30
Existing Home Sales4.3m4.2m10:00
Existing Home Sales Month-over-Month5.10-10:00
Federal Reserve Balance Sheet6610m-16:30
Speech by Fed's Miran--19:05
Core Inflation Rate Month-over-Month0.200.3008:30
Core Inflation Rate Year-over-Year2.602.5008:30
Inflation Rate Month-over-Month0.300.3008:30
Inflation Rate Year-over-Year2.702.5008:30
Consumer Price Index324.05325.4108:30

Yesterday's Recap

US payrolls added 130k jobs in January, surpassing consensus by 60k, while unemployment dropped to 4.3% from 4.4%. Monthly wage growth accelerated to 0.4%, above the expected 0.3%, signaling persistent inflationary pressures. EIA crude inventories surged 8.5 million barrels, far exceeding forecasts, amid ongoing US-Iran diplomatic talks. Fed Governor Bowman spoke on policy, but no new hawkish shifts emerged.

The Day Ahead

Jobless claims are expected at 222k, with consensus at 231k, potentially confirming labor market resilience. Core inflation data will be scrutinized, with consensus at 0.3% m/m and 2.5% y/y, guiding Fed rate paths. Fed speeches by Miran may reiterate data-dependent easing.

Other Economic Notes

Labor market strength suggests cooling inflation may allow slower Fed cuts. Global tensions, like US-Iran talks, support oil prices despite inventory builds. Housing starts are declining, signaling market balance ahead.

Fed Watch

In the easing cycle, recent data supports fewer rate cuts in 2025, with pace slowing to match inflation trends. Powell may emphasize data dependence in speeches, favoring a cautious approach. Markets price three cuts this year, but surprises could tilt toward pauses if employment surprises persist.


Source: https://robomacro.com/Research_Notes/US_Macro_Daily_20260212.html