And so the preparation for a disappointing NFP print continues. While the first revision to Q1 GDP came precisely in line with expectations of a 1.9% print, below the first GDP print of 2.2% (which was expected to print at 2.5% on April 27 [3]), it is largely irrelevant as it is backward looking. Instead, what matters is today's ADP miss, and the just released initial claims number which as we explained minutes ago has to come in bad to prepare us for a horrible NFP number tomorrow which in turn unleashed the NEW QE, $130 gas, and all those other things which made Einstein define insanity. Sure enough, initial claims printed at 383K, up from the upward revised 373K (370K before), which is a 13K miss of expectations. Continuing claims came at 3242K on expectations of 3250K, and down from an upward revised 3278K. What is odd is that in the week ended May 12 we did not see another weekly plunge in the 60-70K ballpark of those dropping off from EUCs and Extended claims, and instead the number was a tiny positive. Expect the sell-side brigade to cut its NFP forecasts in advance of tomorrow's number even more.
The revised GDP composition resulted in even lower quality growth, with PCE declining from 2.04% of the total, to 1.90%, or the entire number in itself, with government and imports detracting more from the overall number.
[4]
Biggest 2Mo rise in claims in a year...
[5]
20 of last 23 week's Initial Claims missed expectations to the upside (worse)...
[6]
Chart: Bloomberg