Why S&P 500 (SP500) rose 1.94% on August 4, 2026

S&P 500 (SP500) rose 1.94% on August 4, 2026 — Weak jobs data eases Fed pressure, boosts equities.

JOLTS job openings came in at 7.359M, below the 7.400M consensus estimate and down from the prior month, signaling cooling labor demand.

A softer jobs signal reduces Fed rate-hike pressure and raises the prospect of near-term cuts, lifting equity risk appetite as terminal rate fears ease.

The S&P's rally sits atop thinning momentum — geopolitical optimism and Iran diplomacy hopes had fueled a three-month climb, but with earnings season fading and recession risks still embedded in the rate cycle, the…

If the jobs report is revised higher or other labor indicators (payrolls, unemployment) surprise strong, the rate-cut narrative collapses and the index rolls over.