"ADP Nonfarm Employment Slightly Exceeds Expectations, Market Continues to Expect Fed to Hold Rates in March"

Golden Ten Data reported on March 4 that the ADP National Employment Report released on Wednesday showed that the increase in U.S. private sector employment in February exceeded expectations, but the data for the previous month was significantly revised downward. Last month, private sector employment increased by 63,000, while January's figure was revised from the previously announced increase of 22,000 to an increase of 11,000. In addition, the air strikes between the U.S. and Israel against Iran and Tehran's retaliatory actions have pushed up oil and gas prices, prompting traders to lower their expectations for interest rate cuts this year due to concerns that the conflict could fuel inflation. Currently, the likelihood of a rate cut in June has greatly diminished. The U.S. central bank kept its benchmark overnight rate in the 3.50%-3.75% range in January.