Stocks are getting hit for a 3rd straight day
- US equity markets were under pressure Friday after a solid jobs report indicated the unemployment rate in September fell to 3.7%, its lowest since 1969.
- Traders continue to watch the bond market closely, as the 10-year hit 3.24%, its highest since 2011.
- Tesla shares were hit hard after Elon Musk took a swipe at the Securities and Exchange Commission on Twitter and the hedge fund billionaire David Einhorn compared the company to the failed US bank Lehman Brothers.
US equity markets were under pressure for a third straight day Friday, with all of the major averages sporting losses of at least 1% at their lows. Heavy selling pushed the tech-heavy Nasdaq down by as much as 2.1%.
Friday's weakness comes after the Bureau of Labor Statistics said the US unemployment rate in September fell to 3.7%, its lowest since 1969. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 134,000, which was fewer than expected and believed to be slowed in part by the wrath of Hurricane Florence. Almost 300,000 workers, most likely in industries like hospitality in which they're paid only if they show up, said the storm kept them away from their jobs.
The solid jobs report sent long-dated US Treasury yields to their highest level in over seven years, with the benchmark 10-year up more than 5 basis points to 3.24%. The recent strength in economic data has traders grappling with the possibility that the Federal Reserve could raise interest rates more quickly than expected. Those rate hikes would make it more expensive for companies to borrow money and could choke off economic growth sooner than anticipated.
Heavy selling battered the Nasdaq for the second day in a row. This time, the electric-car maker Tesla was in the crosshairs, down more than 7%, after CEO Elon Musk took a swipe at the Securities and Exchange Commission on Twitter.
"Just want to that the Short-seller Enrichment Commission is doing incredible work," Musk tweeted Thursday evening. "And the name change is so on point!"
Tesla shares were also pressured by the hedge fund billionaire David Einhorn comparing the company to the failed US bank Lehman Brothers in a recent letter to investors, according to CNBC. Apple fell about 2% after CNBC reported Einhorn's letter said he was selling shares for fear China would retaliate against America's trade policies.
Elsewhere, Netflix sank more than 4% and is now more than 15% below its record high of $423.20 that was set in June.
On the upside, General Electric popped after laying out the contract details for Larry Culp, its new CEO. Culp is in line to receive an annual salary of $2.5 million, with the potential to earn another $300 million if GE's stock price rises by 75% over the next four years, according to CNBC. He has the chance to earn $3.75 million in annual bonuses.
Looking ahead to next week, earnings season kicks off with Walgreens Boots Alliance reporting Thursday and JPMorgan, Citigroup, and Wells Fargo all releasing their quarterly results on Friday.
