Markets Down Ahead of Key US Jobs Report [Video]

Financial markets were down on Tuesday ahead of a key U.S. jobs report that is expected to influence the Federal Reserve’s decision to start lowering interest rates.

Futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average were each down 0.5% before the bell.

Analysts suggest that if the report shows rising unemployment, there could be concerns about the growth of the economy.

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“It is shaping up to be a significant litmus test. A stronger-than-expected payroll number, paired with a lower unemployment rate, could inject some much-needed confidence into the market, signaling that growth risks might be easing, at least for now,” said Stephen Innes, analyst at SPI Asset Management.

“If the report …