Rate cut anticipation boosts stocks, bonds as US labor market slows

• Wall Street equities tick up
• European and Asian stocks mostly rise despite China selloff
• Bond market calm after rising fiscal health concerns
• US jobless claims, Fed’s dovish comments reinforce rate cut hope

Wall Street and world stocks were mostly higher on Thursday, and U.S. Treasury yields fell, as a cooling U.S. labor market and dovish comments from Federal Reserve officials pointed to a likely interest rate cut this month by the central bank.

U.S. private payrolls increased less than anticipated in August, while weekly jobless claims came in higher than expected, in the latest data suggesting easing labor market conditions.