US benchmark equity indexes ended higher Friday after official data showed the economy added more jobs than projected in September. Total nonfarm payrolls in the US climbed by 254,000 last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The consensus was for a 150,000 increase, according to a survey compiled by Bloomberg.
The unemployment rate declined to 4.1% from August's 4.2%, which was the market view for September. The odds that the central bank's Federal Open Market Committee will lower interest rates by 25 basis points next month surged to 97% Friday from 68% Thursday, while the probability of a 50-basis-point cut slid to zero from 32%, according to the CME FedWatch tool. November West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed up $0.67 to settle at $74.38 per barrel, while December Brent crude, the global benchmark, was last seen up $0.70 to $78.32, as the market awaits Israel's response to Iran's missile attack this week. Norwegian Cruise Line shares were up 4.4% as Stifel adjusted its price target on the stock to $29 from $27 while maintaining its buy rating. Rivian Automotive's Q3 vehicle production and deliveries missed analyst estimates amid a supply shortage, prompting the electric vehicle maker to lower its full-year output guidance.
The company's shares were down 3.7%..