Skip to contentHome page Seeking Alpha - Power to InvestorsMay 02, 2026, 8:15 AM ETS&P 500 Index (SP500), SPX, DJI, NDX, SPY, DIA, QQQ, IVV, VOO, IWMDamir Tokic13.7K FollowersCommentsSummarySoft-data surveys point to a weak April labor market report due to higher inflation; that's a stagflationary environment.However, high-frequency labor market data points to a strong April labor market report; thus, there is uncertainty as to what the actual data will show.The stock market needs a solid report that meets expectations; otherwise, the reaction could be negative, either with a positive or negative surprise.jittawit.21/iStock via Getty ImagesConsensus expectationsThe US BLS is set to release the labor market report for April on Friday, May 8th. The consensus expectations are that:job creation slowed from 178K in March to 73K,the unemployment rateThis article was written byDamir Tokic13.7K FollowersCommodity Trading Adviser (CTA), member of National Futures Association. Professor of Finance, research on Global-macro issues. Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Corporate Accounting and Finance.Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.CommentsTo ensure this doesn’t happen in the future, please enable Javascript and cookies in your browser.Is this happening to you frequently? Please report it on our feedback forum.If you have an ad-blocker enabled you may be blocked from proceeding. Please disable your ad-blocker and refresh.