Economic indicators

Nonfarm payrolls gained a less-than-expected 145,000 in December, and the unemployment rate held at 3.5%. Slow wage growth suggests the economy will not overheat and the Fed can maintain rates.

While Fed officials repeated their contention that monetary policy is appropriate and rates can be held if the outlook remains as expected, the situation with Iran could cause preemptive cuts, one noted economist suggests.

President Trump announced sanctions on Iran, but with no signals about other retaliation, the markets appear convinced of no further escalation of hostilities.

While the impending signing of a phase one trade deal with China should help the manufacturing sector rebound, Boeing’s decision to halt manufacturing of its 737 MAX will be a short-term negative for the ISM index.

President Trump’s New Year’s Eve announcement that he will sign a phase one trade deal with China will offer some stability to those hurt most by the trade war and should allow the Federal Reserve to keep monetary policy accommodative, according to analysts.

Home price indexes rise; consumer confidence falls

Pending home sales rose 1.2% in November while the Chicago Business Barometer increased in December.

The markets will build on 2019’s gains next year, as they withstood “trade tensions, impeachment, and geopolitical uncertainties” with the economy posting a record 11th year of expansion, according to economists.

Manufacturing activity contracted again in December, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s survey.

New home sales rose to 719,000 in November, from a downwardly revised 710,000 pace in October, first reported as a 733,000 pace, the Commerce Department said Monday.