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# [MARKETS] September 4, 2026 closing: Asia rises, US jobs report in the spotlight
- URL: https://businessoi.media/en/marches-cloture-4-septembre-2026-lasie-en-hausse-les-chiffres-de-lemploi-us-au-coeur-du-jeu-en/
- Published: 2026-09-04T13:38:39.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-04T13:38:39.000Z
- Description: On September 4, Asia rallies (Hang Seng +1.7%, Nikkei +1.3%), Europe hesitates and all eyes are on US non-farm payrolls at 14:30 ET. Gold at $4,488/oz, Brent at $95.22, EUR/USD at 1.1637: what it means for the Indian Ocean.
- Author: Emmanuel TAOCHY
- Tags: Économie, finance, Bourse, Clôture, #en

**On Friday, September 4, Asian markets advance sharply while Europe opens nearly flat. All eyes are on the US employment figures due at 14:30 ET, which could reshape expectations around Fed rate policy — with direct knock-on effects for the commodities and currencies that underpin the Indian Ocean economy.**

## Asia leads the way

The Nikkei 225 gained 1.3%, South Korea's Kospi climbed 1.6% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 1.7%, buoyed by a Fed governor's comments leaving the door open to holding rates steady. The only weak spot: the Shanghai Composite fell 0.3%, weighed down by underwhelming activity data.

In Europe, the CAC 40 and DAX moved at -0.1%, directionless ahead of US data. Thursday's session had ended on a more positive note, with Europe in the green and Wall Street surging on rate-hold hopes.

## Gold and oil: relative stability

Gold is trading around **$4,488/oz**, following August's record of $4,652 — a gain of +13.45% for the month, driven by monetary policy uncertainty and tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. For Madagascar's mining projects and the region's sovereign reserves, these levels remain historically supportive.

Brent edged down to **$95.22/barrel** (-0.3%). While Iranian tensions continue to underpin prices, this relative stability eases pressure on Indian Ocean island economies, which are heavily dependent on fuel imports. Hormuz traffic remains disrupted, with only 10–20 vessels per day compared to 130–140 in normal times.

## Volkswagen restructures massively

On the equity side: Volkswagen jumped **+6.18%** after a labour agreement involving 100,000 job cuts over five years. Markets' positive reaction reflects a 2026 reality — investors reward socially costly restructurings deemed necessary for industrial competitiveness.

## EUR/USD at 1.1637: good news for Indian Ocean exporters

The EUR/USD pair held at **1.1637**, a high level that benefits Indian Ocean exporters billing in euros to European markets — Réunion tourism, Mauritian textiles, Malagasy spices. This rate strengthens the price competitiveness of regional products across Europe.

## Why it matters

The US jobs report released today is the true potential market trigger. A strong reading would revive fears of a Fed rate hike, weakening emerging-market bonds and squeezing fiscal space in countries like Madagascar or the Comoros. A disappointing figure, conversely, would confirm a Fed on pause — positive for commodities, foreign direct investment and emerging-market currencies across the region. September 4 is, for the Indian Ocean too, a pivotal day.

*Sources: Boursorama (03/09/2026), Les Affaires (04/09/2026), Scala Patrimoine (01/09/2026), Zone Bourse (04/09/2026).*