Call the non-farm payrolls!!!

It’s that time of the month monkeys. The first Friday is right upon us and the all-important nonfarm payroll numbers will get traders sweating in the edge of their seats early tomorrow morning.

As you all know the figures have been especially sucky lately, last month’s numbers for example absolutely torpedoed the equity rally but, inspired by Revsly’s post earlier this year, I figured we could have a little fun with it.

What do you think the number would be?

Economists are expecting it to bump by 60,000, mostly thanks to the 45,000 returning Verizon workers but, better than expected ADP figures coupled with a downward trend in the labor markets is making it a little harder to call.

Deutsche Bank thinks it’ll be higher, around +70,000.

Joe LaVorgnaThe unchanged reading on payrolls in August was actually +45k ex-strikers, and our forecast of +70k in September is actually +25k after accounting for their return.

Same with BoA.

Michelle MeyerADP private payrolls increased 91k in September, nearly matching the gain of 89K in August. This leaves us comfortable with our forecast for nonfarm payrolls to increase 70,000…

But the bears at GS don’t seem to share their enthusiasm.

Jan HatziusIn contrast, the employment component of the report fell by 2.9 points to 48.7. This indicator suggests downside risks to September payroll employment growth, at least partly offsetting the better-than-expected news from the ADP report this morning. Overall we see a bit of upside risk to our forecast for a 50,000 increase in nonfarm payrolls, but we have not made any changes to our estimate.

So what’s your number monkeys?

I’m calling it at +55k, you?

SB to whoever gets closest to it.

57 Comments
 

Even if you get it right, you get it wrong. This number will surely be revised next month and the month after that. Plus again at year end.

looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?
 

Revising my number a bit lower to +48k, and yeah, what happens if I win?

Hey LIBOR, way to be in the spirit of things man. Haha. Couple minutes to go...

People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis, you can't trust people Jeremy
 

Dammit!!! But yeah, things are all looking good... Enjoy your nanners short.

People like Coldplay and voted for the Nazis, you can't trust people Jeremy
 

I don't know if any your guys noticed, but with the 103K they included the 45K Verizon workers coming back to work. Therefore the actual number is only 58K.

Short I am still giving you a SB.

 

Just so we are all clear here, 'cause I see a few numbers without the K next to them... I meant that I think the NFP is going to come in at +42... not 42K but 42...

 

Shorted SPY 127 Straddle 3.25 on Monday looking to cover today after the announcement. I think a number in line with estimates to a slightly higher number Im in good shape. A bad number we will see a sell off and vol goes up. Regardless im covering today

"Oh the ladies ever tell you that you look like a fucking optical illusion" - Frank Slaughtery 25th Hour.
 

Shorted SPY 127 Straddle 3.25 on Monday looking to cover today after the announcement. I think a number in line with estimates to a slightly higher number Im in good shape. A bad number we will see a sell off and vol goes up. Regardless im covering today

"Oh the ladies ever tell you that you look like a fucking optical illusion" - Frank Slaughtery 25th Hour.
 

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looking for that pick-me-up to power through an all-nighter?

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