Investors seek lead from US jobs

SHARE prices in the US could be volatile this week with bellwether consumer companies reporting quarterly earnings and key reports on unemployment and personal income due for release.

On Friday, the government is expected to say non-farm payrolls rose 50,000 in April, against 58,000 in March and marking a third straight gain. Investors are looking for improvement on the job front to raise hopes for growth.

Economic statistics last week showed a resurgent economy, but earnings reports from major industries have been disappointingly thin on evidence that the much-vaunted rebound is actually taking shape.

Procter & Gamble is set to say on Tuesday that it lifted earnings to 83 cents a share, from 75 cents a year ago but it will be the forward-looking statements that grab Wall Street's attention.

Today, personal income and spending are expected to have shown a rise of 0.4% in March as Americans appear to be fighting shy of increasing their debt at the rapid pace they did when times were better.

On Tuesday, the critical consumer confidence gauge for April is expected to show sentiment has dipped to 108.4 from 110.2.