As investors sift through conflicting signals on economic growth, the January jobs report is an encouraging sign that the U.S. economy is on solid footing.

What a year it has been. After the worst December for stocks in 87 years that contributed to the worst fourth quarter since the 2008-09 financial crisis, stocks have bounced back in spectacular fashion. In fact, with a day to go, stocks are looking at their best first month of the year in 30 years.

All eyes are on the Federal Reserve’s (Fed) interest rate announcement and press conference today for signals on future policy after a volatile December.

Investors have increasingly positioned for a Federal Reserve (Fed) pause, which could portend a shift in fixed income markets. Fed fund futures are pricing in about a 70% probability that the Fed will keep rates unchanged for the rest of 2019, and the market’s dovish tilt has weighed on short-term rates

Jobless claims have dropped to a 49-year low. Based on historical trends, this could signal that a U.S. economic recession is further off than many expect.[…]

The Super Bowl indicator suggests that stocks rise for the full year when the Super Bowl winner comes from the original National Football League (now the NFC), but when an original American Football League (now the AFC) team wins, stocks fall.