Tom Moeller

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<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060405b.jpg" width="353">
The total number of mortgage applications rose for the second consecutive period. The 7.2% increase last week limited the average decline during March to 1.0% after a 6.3% drop during February.
Purchase applications jumped 8.4% at month end and the average level during March ticked up 0.2% after a 10.2% decline during February.
During the last ten years there has been a 54% correlation between the y/y change in purchase applications and the change in new plus existing single family home sales.
Applications to refinance also recovered with a 5.3% increase last week though the average March level fell 2.4% m/m after a 2.0% February drop.<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060405a.jpg" width="353">
The effective interest rate on a conventional 30-year mortgage rose sharply. The sixteen basis point increase w/w lifted the effective rate to 6.72% and the rate on 15-year financing likewise surged to 6.43%, its highest since June 2002. Interest rates on 15 and 30 year mortgages are closely correlated (&gt;90%) with the rate on 10 year Treasury securities and during the last ten years there has been a (negative) 82% correlation between purchase applications and the effective rate on a 30-Year mortgage.
The Mortgage Bankers Association surveys between 20 to 35 of the top lenders in the U.S. housing industry to derive its refinance, purchase and market indexes. The weekly survey accounts for more than 40% of all applications processed each week by mortgage lenders. Visit the Mortgage Bankers Association site <a href="http://www.mbaa.org">here</a>.
A New Perspective on Policy, yesterday&#39;s speech by Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President &amp; CEO Richard W. Fisher, is available <a href="http://www.dallasfed.org/news/speeches/fisher/2006/fs060404.html"> here</a>.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/SURVEYW/@S5/@S5.HTM">MBA Mortgage Applications (3/16/90=100)</a></th>
<th scope="col">03/31/06</th>
<th scope="col">03/24/06</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Total Market Index</td>
<td>612.8</td>
<td>571.7</td>
<td>-4.9%</td>
<td>708.6</td>
<td>735.1</td>
<td>1,067.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Purchase</td>
<td>438.2</td>
<td>404.1</td>
<td>-1.7%</td>
<td>470.9</td>
<td>454.5</td>
<td>395.1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Refinancing</td>
<td>1,640.8</td>
<td>1,558.4</td>
<td>-8.8%</td>
<td>2,092.3</td>
<td>2,366.8</td>
<td>4,981.8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
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The total number of mortgage applications rose for the second consecutive period. The 7.2% increase last week limited the average decline during March to 1.0% after a 6.3% drop during February. Purchase applications jumped 8.4% at [...]

Mortgage Applications Manage Late-March Recovery

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<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060405c.jpg" width="353">
The March Business Activity Index for the non-manufacturing sector inched up to 60.5 from 60.1 during February, reported the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). These levels are much improved versus the low January reading of 56.8 and the latest beat Consensus expectations for a decline to 59.0.
Since the series&#39; inception in 1997 there has been a 53% correlation between the level of the Business Activity Index and the q/q change in real GDP for services plus construction.
The new orders index improved to the highest level this year, though at 59.5 remained below the 2005 average. The employment index backpedaled to 54.6 and so far this year is down slightly from the 2005 average of 55.9. Since the series&#39; inception in 1997 there has been a 60% correlation between the level of the ISM non-manufacturing employment index and the m/m change in payroll employment in the service producing plus the construction industries. <img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060405d.jpg" width="353">
Pricing power fell again and has fallen continually since the series peak last September. Since inception eight years ago, there has been a 70% correlation between the price index and the y/y change in the GDP Services chain price index.
ISM surveys more than 370 purchasing managers in more than 62 industries including construction, law firms, hospitals, government and retailers. The non-manufacturing survey dates only to July 1997, therefore its seasonal adjustment should be viewed tentatively.
Business Activity Index for the non-manufacturing sector reflects a question separate from the subgroups mentioned above. In contrast, the NAPM manufacturing sector composite index is a weighted average five components.
&quot;This is Bangalore Calling: Hang Up or Speed Dial? What Technology-Enabled International Trade in Services Means for the U.S. Economy and Workforce from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland can be found <a href="http://www.clevelandfed.org/Research/Com2005/0115.pdf"> here</a>.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/USECON/@EF/@EF03/@EF03.HTM">ISM Nonmanufacturing Survey</a></th>
<th scope="col">Mar</th>
<th scope="col">Feb</th>
<th scope="col">Mar &#39;05</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Business Activity Index</td>
<td>60.5</td>
<td>60.1</td>
<td>61.8</td>
<td>60.1</td>
<td>62.5</td>
<td>58.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Prices Index</td>
<td>60.5</td>
<td>64.8</td>
<td>65.9</td>
<td>67.9</td>
<td>68.8</td>
<td>56.6</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


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The March Business Activity Index for the non-manufacturing sector inched up to 60.5 from 60.1 during February, reported the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). These levels are much improved versus the low January reading of 56.8 [...]

ISM Nonmanufacturing Index Sustained Improvement

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<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060405c.jpg" width="353">
The March Business Activity Index for the non-manufacturing sector inched up to 60.5 from 60.1 during February, reported the Institute for Supply Management (ISM). These levels are much improved versus the low January reading of 56.8 and the latest beat Consensus expectations for a decline to 59.0.
Since the series&#39; inception in 1997 there has been a 53% correlation between the level of the Business Activity Index and the q/q change in real GDP for services plus construction.
The new orders index improved to the highest level this year, though at 59.5 remained below the 2005 average. The employment index backpedaled to 54.6 and so far this year is down slightly from the 2005 average of 55.9. Since the series&#39; inception in 1997 there has been a 60% correlation between the level of the ISM non-manufacturing employment index and the m/m change in payroll employment in the service producing plus the construction industries. <img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060405d.jpg" width="353">
Pricing power fell again and has fallen continually since the series peak last September. Since inception eight years ago, there has been a 70% correlation between the price index and the y/y change in the GDP Services chain price index.
ISM surveys more than 370 purchasing managers in more than 62 industries including construction, law firms, hospitals, government and retailers. The non-manufacturing survey dates only to July 1997, therefore its seasonal adjustment should be viewed tentatively.
Business Activity Index for the non-manufacturing sector reflects a question separate from the subgroups mentioned above. In contrast, the NAPM manufacturing sector composite index is a weighted average five components.
&quot;This is Bangalore Calling: Hang Up or Speed Dial? What Technology-Enabled International Trade in Services Means for the U.S. Economy and Workforce from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland can be found <a href="http://www.clevelandfed.org/Research/Com2005/0115.pdf"> here</a>.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/USECON/@EF/@EF03/@EF03.HTM">ISM Nonmanufacturing Survey</a></th>
<th scope="col">Mar</th>
<th scope="col">Feb</th>
<th scope="col">Mar &#39;05</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Business Activity Index</td>
<td>60.5</td>
<td>60.1</td>
<td>61.8</td>
<td>60.1</td>
<td>62.5</td>
<td>58.3</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Prices Index</td>
<td>60.5</td>
<td>64.8</td>
<td>65.9</td>
<td>67.9</td>
<td>68.8</td>
<td>56.6</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Mortgage Applications Manage Late-March Recovery 
by <a href="/comment/Moeller.html">Tom Moeller</a> April 5, 2006


<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060405b.jpg" width="353">
The total number of mortgage applications rose for the second consecutive period. The 7.2% increase last week limited the average decline during March to 1.0% after a 6.3% drop during February.
Purchase applications jumped 8.4% at month end and the average level during March ticked up 0.2% after a 10.2% decline during February.
During the last ten years there has been a 54% correlation between the y/y change in purchase applications and the change in new plus existing single family home sales.
Applications to refinance also recovered with a 5.3% increase last week though the average March level fell 2.4% m/m after a 2.0% February drop.<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060405a.jpg" width="353">
The effective interest rate on a conventional 30-year mortgage rose sharply. The sixteen basis point increase w/w lifted the effective rate to 6.72% and the rate on 15-year financing likewise surged to 6.43%, its highest since June 2002. Interest rates on 15 and 30 year mortgages are closely correlated (&gt;90%) with the rate on 10 year Treasury securities and during the last ten years there has been a (negative) 82% correlation between purchase applications and the effective rate on a 30-Year mortgage.
The Mortgage Bankers Association surveys between 20 to 35 of the top lenders in the U.S. housing industry to derive its refinance, purchase and market indexes. The weekly survey accounts for more than 40% of all applications processed each week by mortgage lenders. Visit the Mortgage Bankers Association site <a href="http://www.mbaa.org">here</a>.
A New Perspective on Policy, yesterday&#39;s speech by Dallas Federal Reserve Bank President &amp; CEO Richard W. Fisher, is available <a href="http://www.dallasfed.org/news/speeches/fisher/2006/fs060404.html"> here</a>.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/SURVEYW/@S5/@S5.HTM">MBA Mortgage Applications (3/16/90=100)</a></th>
<th scope="col">03/31/06</th>
<th scope="col">03/24/06</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Total Market Index</td>
<td>612.8</td>
<td>571.7</td>
<td>-4.9%</td>
<td>708.6</td>
<td>735.1</td>
<td>1,067.9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Purchase</td>
<td>438.2</td>
<td>404.1</td>
<td>-1.7%</td>
<td>470.9</td>
<td>454.5</td>
<td>395.1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Refinancing</td>
<td>1,640.8</td>
<td>1,558.4</td>
<td>-8.8%</td>
<td>2,092.3</td>
<td>2,366.8</td>
<td>4,981.8</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
MIT Center for Real Estate Compiles Price and Total Return Indexes for Commercial Real Estate Transactions: Properties Earn 34% in 2005 
by <a href="/comment/Stone.html">Carol Stone</a> April 5, 2006


<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060405e.jpg" width="353">
Commercial real estate has increased significantly in importance as an investment medium in recent years. Securitization of commercial mortgage securities and direct interests in portfolios of properties join residential real estate as outlets for capital. But it is complicated to assess the returns on such investments. Each property is sizable and very different from every other property. So, unlike other objects to be priced, there are not simple rules-of-thumb or statistical properties that can be exploited to derive valuations.
Just in mid-February, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology&#39;s Center for Real Estate introduced a helpful tool in this process, the Transactions-Based Index. A client brought these new quarterly series to Haver&#39;s attention, and they were added to our basic USECON product about two weeks ago.
The Total Return Index shows that commercial real estate holdings earned 34.3% in 2005, following valuation gains of 16.0% in 2004 and 10.0% in 2003. Returns based on price change alone were 29.4% last year, 10.7% in 2004 and 4.2% in 2003.
These figures are weighted indexes for &quot;All Properties&quot;, including apartments, industrial buildings, offices and retail centers. Sub-indexes are available for each one of these segments. Retail properties were the strongest in 2005, with a 40.2% total return, while industrial buildings earned &quot;only&quot; 24.2%.<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060405f.jpg" width="353">
The secret to these indexes is a proprietary database maintained by the National Council of Real Estate Investment Fiduciaries (NCREIF). This group is a trade association of pension funds managers; they collectively own some $200 billion worth of commercial properties numbering about 5,000. Data on pricing and income is taken from actual transactions involving these properties.
Further, since the properties are all distinct, the &quot;average&quot; value of transactions cannot by obtained by simply toting up individual prices and dividing by some appropriate number. The indexes are compiled by appeal to the same kind of weighted &quot;hedonic&quot;, quality-adjusting econometric techniques used by BEA and BLS for constructing many of the price indexes used by economists every day. The NCREIF database has been maintained for many years, allowing the MIT econometricians to construct 22 years of history for the &quot;All Property&quot; index and 12 years for the individual property types. A press release and more detailed description of the data are found <a href="http://web.mit.edu/cre/news/060216-tbi.html">here</a> on the website of the MIT Center for Real Estate. 

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol">MIT Commercial Real Estate &quot;TBI&quot; Indexes</th>
<th scope="col">Q4 2005</th>
<th scope="col">Q3 2005</th>
<th scope="col">Q2 2005</th>
Year-End
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">2004</td>
<td>2003</td>
<td>2002</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Total Return Index</td>
<td>668.0</td>
<td>638.9</td>
<td>601.1</td>
<td>497.1</td>
<td>428.5</td>
<td>389.5</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Yr/Yr % Change</td>
<td>34.3</td>
<td>31.8</td>
<td>26.0</td>
<td>16.0</td>
<td>10.0</td>
<td>11.5</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">TBI Price Index</td>
<td>194.3</td>
<td>187.3</td>
<td>177.7</td>
<td>150.2</td>
<td>135.7</td>
<td>130.2</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Yr/Yr % Change</td>
<td>29.4</td>
<td>26.6</td>
<td>20.6</td>
<td>10.7</td>
<td>4.2</td>
<td>4.3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


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Louise Curley

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<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404f.jpg" width="353">
The accumulation of foreign reserves by the developing countries in the Far East appears to be decelerating. Reserves are still increasing, but much more slowly than the pace of early 2004 when the year-to-year increases in reserves were of the order of 30-50%. Taiwan and South Korea are the latest countries to report. Total foreign reserves in Taiwan were unchanged in March from February and only 2.4% above March 2005, down from year-to-year increases of 35% in early 2004. Total reserves in South Korea were up less than one percent from February and less than 6% from March 2005, compared to year-to-year increases of over 30% in early 2004. The year-to-year increases in reserves in Taiwan and South Korea are shown in the first chart.<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404g.jpg" width="353">
China is much slower to report its reserve holdings. The latest data are for December, but even here a deceleration can be detected. In December the year-over-year increase in reserves was down to 33.7% from 51.1% in August. 2005. The deceleration has been going on longer in India where the year-to-year increase in reserves was 11.5% in February, 2006, down from 52.5% in April, 2004. The year-to-year increases in the reserves of China and India are shown in the second chart.
The International Monetary Fund has recently published information on the composition of total reserves and those held by the industrial countries and developing countries. Data are available in US Dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, Japanese Yen, Swiss Francs and a miscellaneous category &quot;other currencies&quot;. (These data are found in the IFS data base.) The data, however, show only the composition of allocated reserves, which, in the case of the developing countries, is only slightly more than half the total. Nevertheless, the changing composition of these allocated reserves gives some indication of the broader shifts that may be taking place in total reserves. Over the period from the first quarter of 1999 when the data began to the fourth quarter of 2005, the proportion of euro claims in the allocated reserves of the developing countries rose from 19% to 29% while the proportion of US$ claims declined from 70% to 60%. (See the third and fourth charts.)<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404i.jpg" width="353"><img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404h.jpg" width="353">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/JAPAN/@J5/@J5.HTM">International Reserves:&nbsp; Developing Countries in the Far East</a> (Bil US$)</th>
<th scope="col">Mar 06</th>
<th scope="col">Feb 06</th>
<th scope="col">Jan 06</th>
<th scope="col">Dec 05</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y % Current</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y % Past Peak&nbsp;</th>
<th scope="col">2004&nbsp;</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">South Korea</td>
<td>217.3</td>
<td>215.9</td>
<td>216.9</td>
<td>210.3</td>
<td>5.8</td>
<td>32.4</td>
<td>April</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Taiwan&nbsp;</td>
<td>257.0</td>
<td>257.0</td>
<td>257.3</td>
<td>253.3</td>
<td>2.4</td>
<td>35.2</td>
<td>February</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">China</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>821.5</td>
<td>33.7</td>
<td>51.1</td>
<td>August</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">India</td>
<td></td>
<td>135.9</td>
<td>134.7</td>
<td>131.9</td>
<td>11.5</td>
<td>52.5</td>
<td>April</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
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The accumulation of foreign reserves by the developing countries in the Far East appears to be decelerating. Reserves are still increasing, but much more slowly than the pace of early 2004 when the year-to-year increases in reserves [...]

Accumulation of Foreign Reserves of Developing Countries in the Far East Slowing: Shift in Composition of Holdings [...]

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<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404e.jpg" width="353">
Announced job cuts fell another 25.7% m/m during March on top of the 15.5% February decline, according to the Challenger, Grey &amp; Christmas survey. The decline was to the lowest level in nearly one year
During the last ten years there has been an 83% (inverse) correlation between the three month moving average level of announced job cuts and the three month change payroll employment.
Layoffs in the auto industry dropped sharply for the second month after the January surge but the three month average remained quite elevated. Cuts in financial (-21.7 y/y, electronics (-37.7% y/y) and government (-72.0% y/y) also fell sharply. Announced job cuts in the apparel and chemical industries, however, surged.
Job cut announcements differ from layoffs. Many are achieved through attrition, early retirement or just never occur.
Challenger also reported an increase in announced hiring plans (31.7% y/y) after three months of decline.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/SURVEYS/@S3/@S301/@S301.HTM">Challenger, Gray &amp; Christmas</a></th>
<th scope="col">Mar</th>
<th scope="col">Feb</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Announced Job Cuts</td>
<td>64,975</td>
<td>87,437</td>
<td>-24.8%</td>
<td>1,072,054</td>
<td>1,039,935</td>
<td>1,236,426</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
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Announced job cuts fell another 25.7% m/m during March on top of the 15.5% February decline, according to the Challenger, Grey & Christmas survey. The decline was to the lowest level in nearly one year During the last ten years there [...]

Challenger Layoffs Skid Further

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<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404d.jpg" width="353">
Chain store sales tread water last week, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)-UBS survey.The unchanged w/w level of sales followed three consecutive periods of decline. 
Sales began April 1.4% lower than at the start of March but the average level of sales last month did rise 0.7% versus February.
During the last ten years there has been a 47% correlation between the y/y change in chain store sales and the change in nonauto retail sales less gasoline.<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404c.jpg" width="353">
The leading indicator of chain store sales rose 0.5% (0.5% /y) after the prior week&#39;s 0.1% up tick. The March rose 0.3% from February.
The ICSC-UBS retail chain-store sales index is constructed using the same-store sales (stores open for one year) reported by 78 stores of seven retailers: Dayton Hudson, Federated, Kmart, May, J.C. Penney, Sears and Wal-Mart.
Retail gasoline prices opened April with a nine cent w/w increase to $2.59 per gallon (16.7% y/y). In yesterday&#39;s spot market trading the price for regular unleaded gasoline of $1.92 per gallon was up another two cents from last week&#39;s average. 
The strength in gasoline prices has been helped by growing U.S. gasoline demand which rose 3.3% last month from the February average and 0.3% y/y.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/surveyw/@S2/@S2.HTM">ICSC-UBS (SA, 1977=100)</a></th>
<th scope="col">04/01/06</th>
<th scope="col">03/25/06</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Total Weekly Chain Store Sales</td>
<td>462.3</td>
<td>462.4</td>
<td>2.4%</td>
<td>3.6%</td>
<td>4.7%</td>
<td>2.9%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


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Chain store sales tread water last week, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)-UBS survey.The unchanged w/w level of sales followed three consecutive periods of decline. Sales began April 1.4% lower than at [...]

Chain Store Sales Soft as Gasoline Prices Surged

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<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404b.jpg" width="353">
US light vehicle sales during March dipped 0.1% m/m to 16.59M units according to the Autodata Corporation and were slightly softer than Consensus expectations for sales of 16.7M.
Sales of US made vehicles were weak and posted a 1.4% (-4.2% y/y) decline to 12.94M units. Domestic car sales led the decline with a 2.6% (-6.8% y/y) drop while sales of domestic trucks slipped 0.6% (-2.4% y/y).<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404a.jpg" width="353">
Imported light vehicle sales posted a 4.7% m/m increase (8.2% y/y) to 3.66M as car sales in March rose 6.7% (5.5% y/y) to 2.31M units. Imported truck sales also rose but by a lesser 1.6% (13.1% y/y) to a record high of 1.35M units.
Imports&#39; share of the US light vehicle market surged to a record 22.0%. For the first three months of this year imports&#39; share averaged 20.4% versus 20.3% during all of last year.
Increasing Global Competition and Labor Productivity: Lessons from the U.S. Automotive Industry from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco can be found <a href="http://www.frbsf.org/economics/conferences/0511/4_IncreasingGlobalCompetition.pdf"> here</a>.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/USECON/@ED/@ED09/@ED0901/@ED0901.HTM">Light Vehicle Sales (SAAR, Mil. Units)</a></th>
<th scope="col">Mar</th>
<th scope="col">Feb</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Total</td>
<td>16.59</td>
<td>16.61</td>
<td>-1.7%</td>
<td>16.92</td>
<td>16.87</td>
<td>16.63</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Autos</td>
<td>7.42</td>
<td>7.41</td>
<td>-3.3%</td>
<td>7.65</td>
<td>7.49</td>
<td>7.62</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Trucks</td>
<td>9.17</td>
<td>9.20</td>
<td>-0.4%</td>
<td>9.27</td>
<td>9.37</td>
<td>9.01</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</body>
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US light vehicle sales during March dipped 0.1% m/m to 16.59M units according to the Autodata Corporation and were slightly softer than Consensus expectations for sales of 16.7M. Sales of US made vehicles were weak and posted a 1.4% [...]

U.S. Light Vehicle Sales Soft

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<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404b.jpg" width="353">
US light vehicle sales during March dipped 0.1% m/m to 16.59M units according to the Autodata Corporation and were slightly softer than Consensus expectations for sales of 16.7M.
Sales of US made vehicles were weak and posted a 1.4% (-4.2% y/y) decline to 12.94M units. Domestic car sales led the decline with a 2.6% (-6.8% y/y) drop while sales of domestic trucks slipped 0.6% (-2.4% y/y).<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404a.jpg" width="353">
Imported light vehicle sales posted a 4.7% m/m increase (8.2% y/y) to 3.66M as car sales in March rose 6.7% (5.5% y/y) to 2.31M units. Imported truck sales also rose but by a lesser 1.6% (13.1% y/y) to a record high of 1.35M units.
Imports&#39; share of the US light vehicle market surged to a record 22.0%. For the first three months of this year imports&#39; share averaged 20.4% versus 20.3% during all of last year.
Increasing Global Competition and Labor Productivity: Lessons from the U.S. Automotive Industry from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco can be found <a href="http://www.frbsf.org/economics/conferences/0511/4_IncreasingGlobalCompetition.pdf"> here</a>.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/USECON/@ED/@ED09/@ED0901/@ED0901.HTM">Light Vehicle Sales (SAAR, Mil. Units)</a></th>
<th scope="col">Mar</th>
<th scope="col">Feb</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Total</td>
<td>16.59</td>
<td>16.61</td>
<td>-1.7%</td>
<td>16.92</td>
<td>16.87</td>
<td>16.63</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Autos</td>
<td>7.42</td>
<td>7.41</td>
<td>-3.3%</td>
<td>7.65</td>
<td>7.49</td>
<td>7.62</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Trucks</td>
<td>9.17</td>
<td>9.20</td>
<td>-0.4%</td>
<td>9.27</td>
<td>9.37</td>
<td>9.01</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Chain Store Sales Soft as Gasoline Prices Surged 
by <a href="/comment/Moeller.html">Tom Moeller</a> April 4, 2006


<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404d.jpg" width="353">
Chain store sales tread water last week, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)-UBS survey.The unchanged w/w level of sales followed three consecutive periods of decline. 
Sales began April 1.4% lower than at the start of March but the average level of sales last month did rise 0.7% versus February.
During the last ten years there has been a 47% correlation between the y/y change in chain store sales and the change in nonauto retail sales less gasoline.<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404c.jpg" width="353">
The leading indicator of chain store sales rose 0.5% (0.5% /y) after the prior week&#39;s 0.1% up tick. The March rose 0.3% from February.
The ICSC-UBS retail chain-store sales index is constructed using the same-store sales (stores open for one year) reported by 78 stores of seven retailers: Dayton Hudson, Federated, Kmart, May, J.C. Penney, Sears and Wal-Mart.
Retail gasoline prices opened April with a nine cent w/w increase to $2.59 per gallon (16.7% y/y). In yesterday&#39;s spot market trading the price for regular unleaded gasoline of $1.92 per gallon was up another two cents from last week&#39;s average. 
The strength in gasoline prices has been helped by growing U.S. gasoline demand which rose 3.3% last month from the February average and 0.3% y/y.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/surveyw/@S2/@S2.HTM">ICSC-UBS (SA, 1977=100)</a></th>
<th scope="col">04/01/06</th>
<th scope="col">03/25/06</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Total Weekly Chain Store Sales</td>
<td>462.3</td>
<td>462.4</td>
<td>2.4%</td>
<td>3.6%</td>
<td>4.7%</td>
<td>2.9%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Challenger Layoffs Skid Further 
by <a href="/comment/Moeller.html">Tom Moeller</a> April 4, 2006


<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404e.jpg" width="353">
Announced job cuts fell another 25.7% m/m during March on top of the 15.5% February decline, according to the Challenger, Grey &amp; Christmas survey. The decline was to the lowest level in nearly one year
During the last ten years there has been an 83% (inverse) correlation between the three month moving average level of announced job cuts and the three month change payroll employment.
Layoffs in the auto industry dropped sharply for the second month after the January surge but the three month average remained quite elevated. Cuts in financial (-21.7 y/y, electronics (-37.7% y/y) and government (-72.0% y/y) also fell sharply. Announced job cuts in the apparel and chemical industries, however, surged.
Job cut announcements differ from layoffs. Many are achieved through attrition, early retirement or just never occur.
Challenger also reported an increase in announced hiring plans (31.7% y/y) after three months of decline.

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/SURVEYS/@S3/@S301/@S301.HTM">Challenger, Gray &amp; Christmas</a></th>
<th scope="col">Mar</th>
<th scope="col">Feb</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Announced Job Cuts</td>
<td>64,975</td>
<td>87,437</td>
<td>-24.8%</td>
<td>1,072,054</td>
<td>1,039,935</td>
<td>1,236,426</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
 Accumulation of Foreign Reserves of Developing Countries in the Far East Slowing:  Shift in Composition of Holdings of All Developing Countries  
by <a href="/comment/Curley.html">Louise Curley</a> April 4, 2006


<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404f.jpg" width="353">
The accumulation of foreign reserves by the developing countries in the Far East appears to be decelerating. Reserves are still increasing, but much more slowly than the pace of early 2004 when the year-to-year increases in reserves were of the order of 30-50%. Taiwan and South Korea are the latest countries to report. Total foreign reserves in Taiwan were unchanged in March from February and only 2.4% above March 2005, down from year-to-year increases of 35% in early 2004. Total reserves in South Korea were up less than one percent from February and less than 6% from March 2005, compared to year-to-year increases of over 30% in early 2004. The year-to-year increases in reserves in Taiwan and South Korea are shown in the first chart.<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404g.jpg" width="353">
China is much slower to report its reserve holdings. The latest data are for December, but even here a deceleration can be detected. In December the year-over-year increase in reserves was down to 33.7% from 51.1% in August. 2005. The deceleration has been going on longer in India where the year-to-year increase in reserves was 11.5% in February, 2006, down from 52.5% in April, 2004. The year-to-year increases in the reserves of China and India are shown in the second chart.
The International Monetary Fund has recently published information on the composition of total reserves and those held by the industrial countries and developing countries. Data are available in US Dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, Japanese Yen, Swiss Francs and a miscellaneous category &quot;other currencies&quot;. (These data are found in the IFS data base.) The data, however, show only the composition of allocated reserves, which, in the case of the developing countries, is only slightly more than half the total. Nevertheless, the changing composition of these allocated reserves gives some indication of the broader shifts that may be taking place in total reserves. Over the period from the first quarter of 1999 when the data began to the fourth quarter of 2005, the proportion of euro claims in the allocated reserves of the developing countries rose from 19% to 29% while the proportion of US$ claims declined from 70% to 60%. (See the third and fourth charts.)<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404i.jpg" width="353"><img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060404h.jpg" width="353">

<table border="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/JAPAN/@J5/@J5.HTM">International Reserves:&nbsp; Developing Countries in the Far East</a> (Bil US$)</th>
<th scope="col">Mar 06</th>
<th scope="col">Feb 06</th>
<th scope="col">Jan 06</th>
<th scope="col">Dec 05</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y % Current</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y % Past Peak&nbsp;</th>
<th scope="col">2004&nbsp;</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">South Korea</td>
<td>217.3</td>
<td>215.9</td>
<td>216.9</td>
<td>210.3</td>
<td>5.8</td>
<td>32.4</td>
<td>April</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Taiwan&nbsp;</td>
<td>257.0</td>
<td>257.0</td>
<td>257.3</td>
<td>253.3</td>
<td>2.4</td>
<td>35.2</td>
<td>February</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">China</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>821.5</td>
<td>33.7</td>
<td>51.1</td>
<td>August</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">India</td>
<td></td>
<td>135.9</td>
<td>134.7</td>
<td>131.9</td>
<td>11.5</td>
<td>52.5</td>
<td>April</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


</html>

USD/EUR exchange rate uncoupling from interest rate differential

Widespread downgrading of 2025 GDP outlook

Trade and fiscal policy uncertainty has exploded with the new administration

Much lower US electricity costs gives it a competitive advantage

Wage growth slowing in the US and Euro area; elevated and sticky in the UK

Stagflation-lite: Blue Chip forecasts below-trend growth and elevated inflation

US policy gyrations boosting policy uncertainty worldwide

Expected tariff hikes have boosted inflation expectations

US and Japan ended 2024 on solid ground in contrast to Europe

US economy expected to outperform other major economies in 2025

Only modest evidence of AI-related surge in US productivity growth

Previous Trump tariffs fading. A boost from new tariffs ahead?

Heavy US manufacturing states underperforming while Sun Belt states outperforming

Rising long-term yields a global phenomenon

US financial market concerns shifting from growth to inflation

Economic activity is picking up in the US but remains lackluster abroad

Policy uncertainty has surged since the US national elections.

Recent turnaround in US economic surprises leading to increases in rate-cut expectations

The outlook has brightened in the US, while it has dimmed for other major economies

Headline US PCE inflation elevated by sticky services prices

US and global equity prices have recently diverged

US leading global upturn in economic surprises

Blue Chip forecasters look for further significant monetary easing apart from Japan

Recent rise in global supply chain pressures could augur a pickup in global inflation pressures

Underperforming German economy generating increased policy uncertainty relative to Europe and the US

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The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services (BOP basis) in March grew to $140.5 billion after narrowing slightly to $123.2 billion in February, revised from $122.7 billion, after widening to $130.7 billion in January according to the U.S. Census Bureau. A $136.7 billion deficit was expected by the Action Economics Forecast Survey. Exports rose 0.2% (6.7% y/y) in March after increasing 2.8% in February. This was accompanied by a 4.4% rise (27.1% y/y) rise in imports which came after m/m stability in February. In Q1’25, the deficit grew to an average $131.4 billion, after rising to an average $83.3 billion in Q4’24.

The trade deficit in goods (BOP basis) widened to a record $163.2 billion in March from $147.9	 billion in February, revised from $147.0 billion. Goods exports (customs value) rose 1.4% (7.0% y/y) in March, after increasing 3.6% in February. The latest increase reflected an 8.2% (8.4% y/y) surge in auto exports which came after a 12.7% strengthening. A 3.5% (4.0% y/y) gain occurred in industrial supplies & materials exports which followed a 5.1% rise. Foods, feeds & beverage exports rose 6.6% (1.4% y/y) after declining in four of the prior five month. Working lower, capital goods exports fell 2.5% (+13.9% y/y) in March after a 4.	8% increase and nonauto consumer goods exports were off 1.1% (+3.4% y/y) in March after a 2.4% gain.

Imports of goods increased 5.5% (31.4% y/y) in March after a 0.2% February easing. Imports of nonauto consumer goods imports surged 27.9% (56.0% y/y) following a 3.1% February gain. Auto imports rose 6.6% (8.7% y/y) after a 1.2% rise. Capital goods imports rose 4.2% (22.5% y/y) following a 1.1% rise. Foods, feeds & beverage imports eased 0.4% (+11.1% y/y) following a 2.0% weakening. Industrial supplies & materials imports declined 12.4% (+39.5% y/y) after weakening 4.6% in February. Petroleum imports by end-use fell 4.1% (-10.2% y/y) after a 2.9% decline. Nonpetroleum imports increased 6.0% (34.8% y/y) after holding steady in February.

The inflation-adjusted goods trade deficit (customs value) deepened to $150.9 billion in March from $136.9 billion in February. Real exports rose 1.6% (5.3% y/y) after a 3.0% February increase, while real imports rose 5.8% (29.8% y/y) in March following a 0.5% February slip.

The services trade surplus narrowed to $23.0 billion in March after decreasing to $23.8 billion in February. It reached a peak of $25.7 billion in November of last year. Service exports fell 0.9% (+5.7% y/y) after a 0.8% decline in February. Construction services exports rose 1.0% (37.7% y/y) after increasing 2.6% in February. Travel services exports fell 7.1% (-3.7% y/y) and financial exports increased 0.9% (7.3% y/y). Transport exports rose 3.1% (2.4% y/y). Service imports eased 0.1% (+10.8% y/y) in March following a 0.8% gain. Maintenance & repair services declined 1.5% (+32.1% y/y) while imported transport services increased 1.2% (1.7% y/y). Imported travel services fell 2.2% (5.3% y/y) while charges for use of intellectual property rose 1.0% (13.6 y/y).

The U.S. goods trade deficit with China narrowed to a seasonally adjusted $24.8 billion in March from $26.6 billion in February. Exports to China declined 8.2% (-10.5% y/y) while imports weakened 7.2% (-2.7% y/y). The deficit with the European Union deepened to a record $48.3 billion in March from $30.9 billion in February. Exports rose 10.9% (14.5% y/y) while imports soared 34.0% (65.4% y/y). The deficit with Japan deepened to $5.8 billion from $5.2 billion in February. Exports rose 1.8% (8.8% y/y) and imports rose 6.4% (9.9% y/y).

The international trade data, including relevant data on oil prices, can be found in Haver’s **USECON** database. Detailed figures on international trade are available in the **USINT** and **USTRADE** databases. The expectations figures are from the Action Economics Forecast Survey in **AS1REPNA**.

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- Goods deficit grows as imports surge ahead of tariff imposition.
- Exports edge higher, led by autos.
- Petroleum product imports fall as crude oil prices decline.

U.S. Trade Deficit Deepens to Record in March

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Retail gasoline prices for all grades improved to an average $3.27 per gallon (-13.1% y/y) in the week ended May 5 and reversed the prior week’s easing to $3.26. Prices were $3.37 per gallon to begin the month but remained above their low of $3.13 in the week of December 9. An earlier high was $3.79 in the week ending April 22, 2024. The all-time high of $5.11 occurred in the week ending June 13, 2022. The retail price for on-highway diesel fuel eaed to $3.50 per gallon (-10.2% y/y) in the week of May 5 from $3.51 in the prior week. The latest diesel price stood well below a high of $4.63 in the week ending September 18, 2023 and a peak of $5.81 in the week ending June 20, 2022.

The price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil declined to $59.64 per barrel (-26.4% y/y) in the week ended May 2, after rising to $63.09 per barrel in the prior week. Prices remained below a high of $91.45 in the week of September 29, 2023. The cost of crude oil peaked at $120.46 in the week of June 10, 2022. Yesterday, the price was $57.13 per barrel. The price of European Brent crude oil declined to $63.50 per barrel (-25.9% y/y) in the week of May 2 from $67.92 in the previous week. Prices remained well below a recent high of $95.61 in the week of September 29, 2023 and compared to a peak of $127.40 in the week of June 10, 2022.

Natural gas prices improved to an average $3.09 per mmbtu (+88.4% y/y) in the week ended May 2, after falling to $3.00/mmbtu in the prior week. Prices remained well above a low of $1.40/mmbtu in the week of March 15, 2024 but below their peak of $9.56 in the week of August 26, 2022. Yesterday’s price was $3.26/mmbtu.

Gasoline demand rose 3.2% y/y in the four weeks ending April 25 following a 0.4% y/y decline in the prior four weeks. Demand for all petroleum products improved 0.3% y/y in the four weeks ending April 25 after a 0.4% y/y rise in the previous four-week period. Crude oil input to refineries eased 0.1% y/y in the four weeks ending April 25 after a 1.3% y/y decline in the prior four weeks.

Gasoline inventories slipped 0.7% y/y in the week ending April 25 after a 1.2% y/y rise in the week ending April 18. Residual fuel oil inventories fell 18.7% y/y in the week of April 25, after a 19.0% y/y fall in the prior week. Crude oil inventories rose 1.4% y/y in the week of April 25 after a 2.6% y/y rise in the previous week.

Measured in days’ supply, gasoline inventories fell w/w to 25.5 days in the week of April 25 from 26.4 days in the prior. The recent low was 22.9 days in the week of November 8. The supply of crude oil eased w/w to 27.9 days in the week of April 25 after three weeks at 28.3 days, and remained below a high of 31.9 days in the week of March 3, 2023.

These data are reported by the Energy Information Administration of the U.S. Department of Energy. The price and supply/demand data can be found in Haver’s **WEEKLY** & **USENERGY** database.

- Gasoline prices edge higher.
- Crude oil prices decline.
- Natural gas costs rise.

U.S. Energy Prices Remain Mixed in Latest Week

Robert Brusca

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Not many respondents are showing absolute slowing. Only five this month. Only six over the last three-months on average. The median total PMI score fell to 49.7 showing contraction in April from 51.1 in March. The average fared slightly better. The 12-months to 6-months to 3-months shows a moderate but consistent slowing. The breadth of slowing is wide with 60.9% of survey respondents slowing over 3-months compared to six months.

The percentile standings show the most strength for the BRIC group with reading above 50% (that marks the median). All other groupings have standings below the 50%, mark indicating that they are below their respective medians of the last four-plus years.

Over every horizon from 12-month to 6-month to 3-month, more than 50% of the respondents show a weakening (slowing) in their PMI responses.

Among the largest economies only Italy has a composite PMI standing above its median (above 50%).

Only 9 of 24 respondents have PMI ranked percentile standings above the 50% mark. That underlines the weakness in composite conditions and the breadth of the weakness.
 
Services sectors no longer are providing the lift to offset ongoing weakness in manufacturing. The differences among countries are narrowing.

Economic conditions across countries may be narrowing for several reasons, one being that the COVID period and then the shock reaction to Russia's invasion from Ukraine put all countries on the same timeline as central banks have been leaning against the shockwaves from those 2 events. As a result of those events, inflation flared but has more recently been falling. Still, inflation continues to be over the top of targets with the European Monetary Union right now making the most progress and Japan facing more late cycle weakness with excessive inflation than other countries in the mix.  More recently aggressive tariff policy the United States has put all countries on their back foot and puts everyone on notice that the future has become a lot more uncertain. Central banks that were progressing toward rate cuts now are worried about the possibility of more inflation from tariffs or from the possibility of recession from tariffs - tariffs up the ante on uncertainty as well as on risk.  What we see in this month's PMI statistics is a gradual continued erosion as the perceived risk here is that things get steadily but slowly worse as firms, investors, and consumers began to pull in their horns and prepare for something bad to happen not knowing what that might be.

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Global Composite PMIs Erode

Tian Yong Woon

This week, we focus on trade developments between the US and major Asian economies. Early indications coming out of US-India trade talks seem encouraging, with terms such as “forward most-favoured-nation” for the US and “zero-for-zero” tariffs appearing in news reports — terms which, if enacted, would represent a significant win for the US. India stands to benefit greatly as well if key exports to the US, such as pharmaceuticals (chart 1), receive substantial tariff relief. The benefits could be strongly mutual if a deal also grants the US greater access to India’s large auto consumer market, particularly for major US electric vehicle (EV) producers, given that EV adoption in India remains at a very early stage (chart 2).

Turning to South Korea, discussions also appear to be progressing at a healthy pace, although details remain limited and ongoing domestic political challenges continue to hinder substantive breakthroughs. Nonetheless, the South Korean won has shown signs of stabilisation, while local equity markets have remained buoyant (chart 3). Recent trade data for April has also provided some investor relief, as weak exports to the US were more than offset by a strong performance in semiconductor shipments (chart 4).

In Japan, the race to secure a trade deal with the US is well underway, with automotive exports expected to be a key focal point given their significance to Japan’s economy and the US being a major export destination (chart 5). China, however, remains a notable outlier, with formal trade talks with the US not yet underway. Still, the US-China trade relationship continues to be the most closely watched, given its scale and potential impact on global growth and trade dynamics. While markets await China’s official April trade data, early indicators such as port activity already suggest a decline in bilateral trade flows (chart 6).

**US-India trade talks**
US-India trade discussions have reportedly been progressing rapidly, with both sides having already finalized in April the terms of reference for talks, setting the stage for formal negotiations. One early sign of favourable momentum is India’s possible offering of a “forward most-favoured-nation” clause to the US. This would ensure the US always receives the most favourable tariff terms, ahead of any other trade partner. If enacted, this would be a significant win for the US and a major leap forward in the US-India trade relationship. Another reported breakthrough involves India’s reported proposal of “zero-for-zero” tariffs on steel, auto components, and pharmaceuticals—offered on a reciprocal basis up to a certain quantity. If agreed, this would be mutually beneficial, especially as pharmaceuticals remain one of the US economy’s key imports from India, as shown in chart 1. On a separate note, and more recently, India’s phone exports to the US have reportedly gained prominence. With steep US tariffs on China, firms like Apple are increasingly incentivised to accelerate production shifts to India.

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Additionally, India’s proposed “zero-for-zero” tariff plan for auto parts may galvanise US access to India’s large domestic auto market, which has remained comparatively insulated due to high import tariffs. Another area to watch in the trade talks is electric vehicle (EV) imports, especially given US EV giant Tesla’s continued interest in expanding into the Indian market. That said, EV adoption in India remains in its early stages by many measures. While India has an immense middle class with future sales potential, EVs accounted for only about 2% of new cars sold in 2023, as shown in chart 2. This is well below levels seen in other Asian economies like China, or leaders in this space like Norway, where nearly all new cars sold are EVs. Challenges remain in unlocking the domestic Indian market—particularly around affordability and the underdeveloped state of EV infrastructure.

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**US-South Korea trade talks**
Discussions on the US-South Korea trade front also appear to be progressing at a steady pace, with technical talks reportedly having concluded in Washington last week. However, details remain limited, and full-scale negotiations have not yet begun. Complicating matters is South Korea’s domestic political landscape. With the country heading into a snap presidential election on June 3, Vice Industry Minister Park has said there is no chance of a comprehensive deal being reached before then. Still, both sides have committed to working toward an agreement before the expiration of Trump’s 90-day reciprocal tariff pause on July 8. In financial markets, the won continues to swing but remains above its year-to-date lows (chart 3). Meanwhile, South Korean equities have been lifted by a softening in trade rhetoric from both the US and China, as well as optimism around the US-South Korea talks.

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Turning to the hard trade data, South Korea’s more complete April numbers offered some initial relief to investors. The economy still managed to post moderate export growth, surprising many, despite a nearly 7% y/y decline in exports to the US, as shown in chart 4. One of the key drivers was semiconductors, which recorded double-digit y/y growth for the second consecutive month. However, these figures likely do not yet reflect the full initial impact of the steep mutual tariffs between the US and China. Firmer indications may emerge in the coming months. By then, though, attention will likely have shifted toward the outcome of US trade talks with key partners, as the end of its 90-day reciprocal tariff pause draws near.

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**US-Japan trade talks**
Turning to Japan, there is a sense of cautious optimism, with Japan’s chief trade negotiator Akazawa expressing hope for a US-Japan trade deal by June, following the second and most recent round of talks held in Washington last week. A key point of interest is whether Japan can negotiate an exemption from the current 25% automotive tariffs imposed by the US. This is especially significant given the importance of the US as a destination for Japanese auto exports, as shown in chart 5, and the central role the sector plays in Japan’s broader manufacturing economy. Also worth noting is a recent clarification by Japan’s Finance Minister Kato, who walked back earlier remarks and stated that Japan will not use the sale of US Treasuries as a bargaining tool. The clarification may help defuse a potential point of friction between the two sides as trade discussions continue.

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**US-China trade developments**
Turning to US-China trade developments — while progress here has lagged, this relationship remains the most closely watched, given its potentially large impact if meaningful movement occurs. Recent messaging from both sides has softened, stepping back from the fiery exchanges and tariff escalations seen earlier in April, offering some interim relief for investors. China has reportedly exempted certain US imports from tariffs, including specific pharmaceutical and industrial chemical products. However, on US-China trade talks, they remain at a very early stage, with China merely “evaluating” the prospect of negotiations with the US. This suggests we are still far from anything resembling a formal deal. Investors are now closely watching for first-round effects of US tariffs, which are expected to appear in China’s April trade numbers due later this week. Early signs point to a slowdown. For example, vessel traffic at the Los Angeles–Long Beach port remains at range lows, hinting at reduced shipments from China.

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Asia

Economic Letter from Asia: Art of the Deal

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The U.S. ISM Services PMI rose to 51.6 during April, after falling sharply to 50.8 in March from 53.5 in February, according to today’s report by the Institute for Supply Management. The reading indicated service sector expansion for the tenth consecutive month, although the rate of expansion has slowed significantly. The index hit a recent high of 55.8 in October of last year and remains below the all-time high of 67.5 in November 2021. The Action Economics Forecast Survey expected 50.2 for April.

Haver Analytics constructs a composite index combining the services index and the manufacturing index released on Thursday. This index rose to 51.2 in Apri from 50.6 in March. The latest figure remains above its June low of 49.1.

Amongst the services component series, the employment index led last month’s improvement in the overall index. It rose to 49.0 after falling sharply to 46.2 in March. Higher employment was reported by a slightly improved 14.6% (NSA) of respondents while a lessened 16.4% reported a decline. The new orders index rose to 52.3 after falling to 50.4 in March. A higher 22.4% (NSA) of respondents reported a rise in orders while a lessened 15.3% reported a decline. Reporting slower delivery speeds, the supplier delivery series edged up to 51.3 in April after falling to 50.6 in March. Working lower, the business activity series declined to 53.7 after rising to 55.9 in March. A higher 26.2% (NSA) of respondents reported improved activity while a lessened 14.0% reported deterioration.

On the inflation front, the prices index surged to 68.9 in April after easing to 62.8 in March. A greatly increased 39.6% (NSA) of respondents reported higher prices while a lessened 1.9% reported lower prices. The index was increased from its December 2022 low 53.1 and stood at its highest level since October 2022.

Additionally, the new export orders index increased to 48.6 (NSA) in April following a decline to 45.8 in March from 52.1 in February. Just 14.8% of survey respondents reported higher exports while an increased 17.7% reported a decline. The imports index plummeted to 44.3 last month from 52.6 in March. A greatly lessened 4.7% of respondents reported higher imports while a doubled 16.2% reported a decline. The inventory change index jumped to 53.4, a six-month high. The order backlog index edged up to 48.0 in April after falling sharply to 47.4 in March. A lessened 12.2% of respondents reported higher backlogs while a fewer 16.2% reported a decline. These series are not seasonally adjusted and not included in the ISM Services PMI total.

The ISM Services PMI is a composite index consisting of four equally weighted diffusion indexes: Business Activity, New Orders, Employment, and Supplier Deliveries. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the services sector, while below 50 suggests	 contraction. Supplier Deliveries is the only ISM index that is inversed; a reading above 50 indicates slower deliveries. The ISM figures are available in Haver's **USECON** database, with additional detail in the **SURVEYS** database. The expectations figure from Action Economics is in the **AS1REPNA** database.

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- Total index remains near nine-month low.
- Employment, new orders & supplier deliveries edge up. Business activity weakens. 
- Prices Index strengthens to roughly two-year high.

Economy in Brief: April 2006

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