US benchmark equity indexes ended lower Friday after data showed the economy added fewer jobs than estimated in August.
* Nonfarm payrolls climbed 142,000 in August, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The consensus was for a 165,000 increase, as per a survey compiled by Bloomberg. July payrolls saw a downward revision to an 89,000 gain, and June payrolls were also lowered to a 118,000 increase, resulting in a net downward revision of 86,000 jobs.
* The odds of a 25-basis-point interest rate cut on Sept. 18 jumped to 73% Friday from 60% Thursday, while the probability of a more aggressive 50-basis-point reduction fell to 27% from 40%, according to the CME FedWatch tool.
It is now "appropriate" for the Federal Open Market Committee to start easing its monetary policy, New York Fed President John Williams said. Separately, Fed Governor Christopher Waller said it is "important" to begin the easing process later this month.
* October West Texas Intermediate crude oil closed down $1.48 to settle at $67.67 per barrel, while November Brent crude was last seen down $1.23 at $71.45 as demand concerns remain at the fore following the jobs data.
* Intel (INTC) is considering selling its 88% stake in automated driving systems provider Mobileye Global (MBLY), Bloomberg reported. Shares of the chipmaker dropped 2.6%.
* Broadcom (AVGO) shares sank about 10% after the company guided for fiscal Q4 revenue of about $14 billion, compared with the $14.04 billion forecast from analysts polled by Capital IQ.
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