S&P 500 inches higher, dollar weakens as soft data supports Fed pause

The S&P 500 advanced and the dollar extended its losses on Wednesday, as a slew of disappointing economic data raised the probability that the Federal Reserve will press the pause button in its efforts to rein in inflation.

The Nasdaq joined the S&P 500 in positive territory, while the blue-chip Dow was last essentially unchanged.

All three major U.S. stock indexes oscillated slightly between red and green throughout the penultimate trading day of August, which remains on track to mark the S&P 500's biggest monthly percentage drop since February, and the tech-laden Nasdaq's largest slide this year.

A barrage of economic indicators generally surprised to the downside, including private payrolls clocking a 52.3% monthly drop and second-quarter GDP revised significantly lower, to 1.7% on a quarterly annualized basis.

Weak economic data could be good news for interest rates, as it could give the Federal Reserve a rationale for letting key interest rates stand at next month's monetary policy meeting.

"It's pretty clear that the Fed's tightening is having its desired effect and that's being reflected in job creation and job opening numbers," said Oliver Pursche, senior vice president at Wealthspire Advisors, in New York. "For now, it's likely from a statistical perspective we won't see a recession this year."

Thomas Martin, senior portfolio manager at GLOBALT in Atlanta, agreed.

"(The data) fits with the idea that central banks have another data point that makes them more comfortable with holding steady rather than opting for further rate increases," Martin said.

Financial markets have currently priced in a 88.5% likelihood of a September Fed pause, according to CME's FedWatch tool.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 2.78 points, or 0.01%, to 34,849.89, the S&P 500 gained 11.74 points, or 0.26%, to 4,509.37 and the Nasdaq Composite added 52.53 points, or 0.38%, to 13,996.29.

Across the Atlantic, European stocks closed modestly lower, easing off a two-week high as weakness in the utilities sector was countered by gains in insurance and basic resources.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index lost 0.15% and MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe gained 0.38%.

Emerging market stocks rose 0.09%. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan closed 0.37% higher, while Japan's Nikkei rose 0.33%.

The greenback extended its losses, touching a two-week low against a basket of world currencies in the wake of disappointing economic data.

The dollar index fell 0.31%, with the euro up 0.36% to $1.0916.

The Japanese yen weakened 0.23% versus the greenback at 146.25 per dollar, while Sterling was last trading at $1.2708, up 0.55% on the day.

U.S. Treasury yields slipped to fresh three-week lows after slower-than-expected economic growth lowered the possibility of further interest rate hikes in the next few months.

Benchmark 10-year notes last rose 2/32 in price to yield 4.1159%, from 4.122% late on Tuesday.

The 30-year bond last rose 5/32 in price to yield 4.2285%, from 4.237% late on Tuesday.

Crude prices edged higher as industry data showed tighter-than-expected supply as investors digested Hurricane Idalia's potential effect on demand.

U.S. crude rose 0.58% to settle at $81.63 per barrel, while Brent settled at $85.86 per barrel, up 0.43% on the day.

Gold prices advanced in opposition to weakness in the U.S. dollar.

Spot gold added 0.3% to $1,942.99 an ounce.

 

(Reporting by Stephen Culp; Editing by Sharon Singleton and Nick Zieminski)