The August ADP private sector employment report showed a slowdown from 106,000 to 54,000 jobs, below expectations of 65,000. Weekly jobless claims rose from 229,000 to 237,000 against forecasts of 230,000, while continuing claims declined from 1.944 million to 1.940 million versus the projected 1.960 million. Meanwhile, the ISM Services PMI strengthened from 50.1 to 52.0, beating expectations of 51.0.

At 14:30 (GMT+2), the U.S. nonfarm payrolls report will be released. Forecasts suggest job growth of 75,000 compared to 73,000 in the prior month, while average hourly earnings may slow from 3.9% to 3.7% y/y, confirming easing inflationary pressure. The unemployment rate is expected to edge higher from 4.2% to 4.3%, potentially giving the Federal Reserve more room for dovish guidance.

Top performers within the index included Amazon Inc. (+4.3%), Meta Platforms Inc. (+1.6%), Alphabet Inc. (+0.7%), Nvidia Corp. (+0.6%), Apple Inc. (+0.6%), and Microsoft Corp. (+0.5%).

Support and resistance levels

On the daily chart, Bollinger Bands are flattening, narrowing from below and indicating mixed dynamics in the short term. MACD is trending higher, maintaining a weak buy signal (histogram consolidating above the signal line). Stochastic hovers near the “80” mark, pointing to short-term overbought risks.

Resistance levels: 45900.0, 46150.0, 46350.0, 46550.0.

Support levels: 45600.0, 45300.0, 45000.0, 44678.3.

Trading scenarios

  • Long positions may be opened after a breakout above 45900.0 with targets at 46550.0 and stop-loss at 45600.0. Implementation timeframe: 2–3 days.

  • Short positions may be opened after a pullback from 45900.0 and a breakdown below 45600.0 with targets at 45000.0 and stop-loss at 45900.0

Scenario

Timeframe: Intraday

Recommendation: BUY STOP

Entry point: 45900.5

Take Profit: 46550.0

Stop Loss: 45600.0

Key levels: 44678.3, 45000.0, 45300.0, 45600.0, 45900.0, 46150.0, 46350.0, 46550.0DJIA

Alternative scenario

Recommendation: SELL STOP

Entry point: 45599.5

Take Profit: 45000.0

Stop Loss: 45900.0

Key levels: 44678.3, 45000.0, 45300.0, 45600.0, 45900.0, 46150.0, 46350.0, 46550.0