Dow Above 50K as Inflation and January Jobs Loom: Key Week for Markets (FEB 08-15)

The Dow (^DJI) closed above 50,000 for the first time on Feb. 3, while the S&P 500 (^GSPC) and Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) posted a 2% gain on the day, erasing earlier week declines. The Nasdaq continued its fourth consecutive losing week (-3.0%) and the S&P 500 had a three-week losing streak, though both are up for the year. The tech-heavy index lost its year-to-date gains this week. Key data this week: The delayed January nonfarm payrolls report is released Wednesday, with economists forecasting 70,000 jobs and the unemployment rate at 4.4%. The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the CPI on Friday, expected to show a 0.30% month-over-month rise and 2.50% year-over-year inflation. ADP jobs in January added 22,000, and JOLTS show December job openings at a 12-year low while layoff announcements hit a 10-year monthly high. Crypto extended gains on Friday after a week-long drawdown; Bitcoin (BTC-USD) fell to $65,000 and -$12% on Wednesday–Thursday before recovering past $70,000. Strategy (MSTR) reported a $17.4B operating loss, and ETF exposure helped drive metals up while bitcoin retreated from momentum-driven holders. Passage of the CLARITY Act in Congress would be a major catalyst but currently appears unlikely.