By Noreen Burke

Investing.com -- The U.S. jobs report on Friday will be the main economic event of the coming week, with investors hopeful for signs of improvement in the labor market after two months of slower than expected jobs growth. The second quarter is ending, and market watchers will be looking ahead to the next six months after a strong first half to 2021. OPEC+ meets on Thursday with energy traders anticipating another production increase as the demand outlook continues to recover. Meanwhile, Wednesday’s euro zone inflation data could test the European Central Bank’s resolve to look past short term price increases. Here’s what you need to know to start your week.

Jobs report

The June nonfarm payrolls report is expected to show that the economy added 675,000 new jobs, pushing the unemployment rate down to 5.7% from 5.8%.

With concerns over rising inflation and the strength of the recovery to the fore of investors’ minds, markets will also be looking at other labor market statistics, including wage growth and labor force participation.

Last week Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated the central bank’s commitment to encouraging a "broad and inclusive" recovery in the labor market, adding that there is still a long way to go, and that support is still needed.

“The very quick job gains of the early recovery essentially involved going back to your old job,” Powell said. “Now it’s actually finding new jobs and that’s a matching function that is more labor intensive and time consuming.”

Economic data

Ahead of Friday’s jobs report, markets will get updates on pending home sales, ADP private sector payrolls, jobless claims and ISM manufacturing activity.

The ISM data is likely to underline strains on the supply chain that are pushing up costs, boosting the chances that inflation will remain at higher levels for longer.

The calendar also features appearances by several Fed officials, including New York Fed President John Williams, Philadelphia Fed President Patrick Harker, Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic, Richmond Fed President Thomas Barkin and Fed Vice Chair Randal Quarles.

Half time

Investors may be sorry to see the first half of the year end after a strong six months in markets. Global stocks are on track to post their second strongest H1 gains since the turn of the century, but the second half looks harder to predict.

“The market has maybe dodged a few scares and as we look ahead to the second half... there are probably some more risks ahead than there were a few months ago,” James Ragan, director of wealth management research at D.A. Davidson told Reuters.