US equity markets retreated after a choppy session as investors digested a lacklustre December jobs report albeit one that in unlikely to be damaging enough to give central bankers reason to pause what has been expressed as a plan to tighten financial policy sooner and faster than had previously been expected - Dow dipped -5-points to 36,231.66, recovering from an intra-session low of 36,111.53. The broader S&P500 eased -0.41%, with Consumer Discretionary (down -1.65%) and Information Technology (-1.01%) falling over >1% to lead seven of the elven primary sectors lower. Energy (up +1.45%) and Financials (+1.15%) were once again the leading primary sector performers. The Nasdaq lost -0.96% to 14,935.90, hitting an intraday low of 14,877.63. The technology-centric index sits ~7% below its most recent (19 November) peak of 16,057.44 (and hence ~3% from official correction territory). The small capitalisation Russell 2000 lost -1.20%. Retailer Dick’s Sporting Goods Inc rose +1.08% after lifting their full-year earnings per share (EPS) (to $13.70 to US13.79, up from previous guidance for $12.88 to 13.06; adjusted EPS is expected to be US$15.50 to US15.60 compared with previous guidance for US$14.60 to US14.80 and current consensus analyst forecasts for US$15.35) and same-store sales (SSS) outlook (for growth between 25.8% to 26.1%, up from previous guidance for an increase between 24% to 25% and versus current consensus for 25.8% growth). Some analysts suggested that consumers had likely completed more holiday shopping early due to widespread news reports of supply chain disruptions that could lead to stock shortages.
