Analysts: The worst-case scenario for non-farm payrolls is lower-than-expected payrolls and higher-than-expected wage growth

The dollar hovered near a four-month low and investors remained cautious ahead of a crucial US non-farm payrolls report later. The dollar has come under pressure as fears of slowing US growth have driven markets to digest expectations of further interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. That means the jobs data will become particularly important.

Swissquote Bank analyst Ipek Ozkardeskaya said in a note that the lower-than-expected jobs data could further weaken the dollar, with the worst-case scenario being lower-than-expected payrolls and higher-than-expected wage growth, as this would expose the Federal Reserve to an economic slowdown but limited room to provide support.