Risk Assets Climb as US Jobs, Housing Data Beat Estimates

Strong US labor and housing data on May 5 lifted risk assets as markets priced a soft-landing scenario. Bitcoin (BTCUSD) climbed toward $81,600 (settling near $81,266) while equities rallied — the S&P 500 rose to 7,253 and the Nasdaq 100 to 27,964 — after March JOLTS job openings beat estimates and new home sales surged. The prints signaled resilient demand without overheating, reinforcing expectations of moderate growth and a patient Federal Reserve. Traders said the path for further gains depends on upcoming inflation and labor prints, with oil-related price pressures keeping some caution around rate-cut timing.