Stocks turn lower as US jobs data loom

[October 07, 2011]  LONDON (AP) -- Investors were cautious on Friday ahead of U.S. jobs figures, with stocks down slightly after enjoying a couple of bumper days on hopes of a Europe-wide plan to fix the banking sector.

After a week of wild gyrations stemming from Europe's debt crisis, investors are turning their attention to the U.S. government's jobs report for September -- the payrolls data often set the market tone for a week or two after their release.

Following last month's unexpectedly flat outcome and a raft of better than anticipated economic data, hopes are that the U.S. economy generated around 60,000 jobs during September, though some in the markets think it could be double that. That's still low and not enough to get the unemployment rate down from the 9.1 percent level.

"Modest job gains will do little to alleviate concerns about the pace of recovery, however, with the risk of recession remaining all too real," said Mitul Kotecha, an analyst at Credit Agricole.

Those concerns have dominated European trading following two big days of gains. Earlier, Asian shares advanced following the previous day's continuing advance.

Germany's DAX was down 0.2 percent at 5,631 while the CAC-40 in France fell 0.5 percent to 3,062. The FTSE 100 index of leading British shares was 0.4 percent lower at 5,272, with Lloyds Banking Group PLC and Royal Bank of Scotland PLC underperforming in the wake of a downgrade of their credit ratings from Moody's.

Wall Street was poised for a modestly lower opening, too -- Dow futures fell 0.3 percent to 11,015 while the broader Standard & Poor's 500 futures fell the same rate to 1,154.

Trading in currency markets was also subdued ahead of the figures, with the euro unchanged at $1.3426 and the dollar flat at 76.77 yen.

Beyond the U.S. figures, investors will continue to digest developments in Europe's debt crisis. Over the past couple of days, there have been mounting hopes that European policymakers are preparing a plan to shore up the banking sector in the event of a Greek debt default.

Thursday's decisions by the Bank of England to launch new monetary stimulus and a big liquidity operation from the European Central Bank have also helped support investor sentiment.

"Hopes that European politicians have a good understanding on the potential need to recapitalise the banking system has been key support to risk appetite in recent sessions," said Jane Foley, an analyst at Rabobank International. "The very nature of the political process is slow, however, suggesting that once again there is room for disappointment and volatility in the markets."

Earlier in Asia, Japan's Nikkei index rose 1 percent to close at 8,605.62 after the country's central bank said the economy is "picking up" and predicted an eventual return to a moderate recovery.

South Korea's Kospi index jumped 2.9 percent to close at 1,759.77 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng ended 3.1 percent higher at 17,707 after surging 5.7 percent the day before.

Markets in mainland China were closed for a weeklong holiday.

Oil prices tracked equities lower -- benchmark crude oil for November delivery was down 55 cents to $82.94.

[Associated Press; By PAN PYLAS]

Kelvin Chan in Hong Kong contributed to this report.

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