Global Markets Rise as US Job Loss Spurs Fed Pause Hopes

NEW YORK, Aug 8, 2026 — The S&P 500 rose 0.6% after traders interpreted July’s unexpected job losses as a sign the Federal Reserve may hold interest rates steady. The Nasdaq outperformed, climbing 1.3% to 26,690.62, while the Dow Jones added 0.3%.

European markets also advanced, with London’s FTSE 100 up 0.3%, France’s CAC gaining 0.2%, and Germany’s DAX rising 0.7%. In Asia, trading was mixed: Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 0.5%, Shanghai Composite gained 1.0%, and Singapore’s Straits Times added 1.1%. Malaysia’s KLCI slipped 0.1% to close at 1,735.75.

US Job Loss

Analysts from PIB expect choppy trading this week as uncertainty persists over the Middle East conflict. Despite US President Donald Trump’s claim that negotiations with Iran are ongoing, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remains unclear. Oil prices are expected to stay elevated, adding pressure to the global economy.

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