Charting the Markets: Investors Await the U.S. Jobs Report

It's that time of the month again. Employers probably added 201,000 jobs last month, according to a Bloomberg survey of 96 economists. The jobless rate is forecast to remain at 5.1 percent. The probability of an October rate increase from the Federal Reserve has dropped to 18 percent from 44 percent the day before the central bank kept interest rates unchanged on Sept. 17, Fed fund futures show. Since then a number of U.S. central bank officials, including Chair Janet Yellen, have talked up the likelihood of a move this year. Global stocks have dropped almost 4 percent since last month's decision. On Friday, Asian stocks swung between gains and losses. Chinese markets remain closed until next Thursday. European stocks rose as much as 1.1 percent at the open.

China shares listed in Hong Kong — otherwise known as H-shares — surged after the government stepped up targeted support for the economy. After a one-day holiday, the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index jumped 3 percent, the biggest rise in almost a month. The minimum home down payment for first-time buyers has been reduced, as has a tax on passenger-vehicle purchases. China is also reportedly studying supporting measures for Macau to revive the city's economy, boosting shares of casino operators. H-shares had dropped for a fifth month in September, the longest losing streak since 2000. It was worst performing global primary equity index last quarter, along with China's Shanghai Composite, both falling 28 percent.