Monday Morning Must-Knows - January 5, 2026

Monday Morning Must-Knows by Trading Academy

January 5, 2026

Five Jobs Reports This Week Could Force Fed Rate Cut Decision

Welcome to 2026. The first full trading week brings light earnings but a flood of employment data that could shift Fed policy. Multiple jobs reports drop between Wednesday and Friday, with Friday's unemployment rate potentially deciding the Fed's next move at the January 28th meeting. Markets currently price in 70% odds of no rate cut, but surging unemployment could flip that decision.

In this episode, Merlin Rothfeld explains why inflation and employment are the only themes that matter in 2026, breaks down which specific jobs reports to watch, covers global services PMI data hitting Tuesday, and reveals how this week's data could influence both the Fed and your portfolio.

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