Robert Brusca

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Unemployment rates have been falling in the EMU. In May, the overall rate has stuck at 8.4%, its lowest mark since December 2008. In the last cycle, the unemployment rate low for the EMU was 7.3%, which it last reached in March 2008.
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In May 2018, the unemployment rate fell in four of the EMU’s 11 early-reporting original members. However, over three months, six months and 12 months, unemployment rates are lower on balance in each of these countries. France has an unchanged unemployment rate over three months and a rate that is higher by 0.1 percentage point over six months. The Netherlands has an unemployment rate that is higher by 1 full percentage point over 12 months. Additionally, Greece, with a two-month lag, has an unemployment rate that is falling month-to-month and on three-month, six-month and 12-month horizons.
</p><p align="justify">
An alternate method of assessment is the ranking of each nation’s unemployment rate in its queue of values since late-1991. On this basis, Germany has the lowest unemployment rate with its rate being this low or lower only 0.3% of the time. Belgium’s rate has been this low or lower only 1% of the time. The Dutch rate has been this low or lower only 16% of the time. Finland’s rate has been this low or lower 19.5% of the time. At the high end, Luxembourg’s rate has been higher only 23% of the time and the Greek rate has been higher only 33% of the time. Italy’s rate has been higher about 42% of the time. All the rest of the countries have percentile standings that are below their historic medians (50th percentile).
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A number of countries still have unemployment rates that have not yet fallen into the lower one third of their historic queue. That includes Austria, France and Spain in addition to the high unemployment rate countries.
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Unemployment rate in the EMU has fallen reasonably sharply and reasonably broadly. Few EMU countries have been truly ‘left behind.’ But there is still a core of about eight of the 12-EMU members in the table for whom the current unemployment rates would not be considered good cycle lows.
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The ECB is planning to end its stimulus programs and has its sights set on moving rates up and back toward the sorts of rate levels that would exist in normal times. But it has demonstrated none of urgency that we see from the Federal Reserve in the U.S. The Fed currently is ‘obsessed’ by the notion of getting the Fed funds rate back to neutral and has laid a program to get there and higher. However, that is not to deny that there is a core of pressure within the EMU that wants the ECB to sweep away all legacies of support and to begin to move rates up. But that faction is not in control of policy in the EMU. Germany is already uncomfortable about the level of inflation in Germany. And arguably the new German obsession with moving its fiscal potion into surplus has to do with trying to counterbalance a monetary policy in the EMU that may be right for the EMU but that is too stimulative for Germany.
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Unemployment rates have been falling in the EMU. In May, the overall rate has stuck at 8.4%, its lowest mark since December 2008. In the last cycle, the unemployment rate low for the EMU was 7.3%, which it last reached in March 2008. [...]

EMU Unemployment Rate Holds at 8.4%

Gerald D. Cohen

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<p align="justify">The value of construction put-in-place increased 0.4% month-on-month in May (4.5% year-on-year), slightly less than the 0.5% expected by the Action Economics Forecast Survey. April's gain was cut in half to 0.9% m/m and March's drop was revised to a smaller decline. On net the level of construction spending in April was lower than originally reported. Despite these weaker readings, second quarter construction spending is 1.2% (4.8% annualized) above the first quarter level.
</p><p align="justify">
Private sector building activity, which is over three times the size of public sector spending, increased 0.3% m/m (4.4% y/y). Residential construction spending grew 0.8% (6.6% y/y) while non-residential declined 0.3% (+1.8% y/y). As with total construction, the revisions to March and April left spending in all of these categories at a lower level in April than originally reported. In the residential sector, single family construction increased 0.6% in May, the volatile multi-family sector rose 1.6% and home improvements were up 0.9%.
</p><p align="justify">
The value of public sector building activity grew 0.7% (4.7% y/y) in May after an upwardly revised 2.3% jump in April (was -1.3%). March's increase was revised slightly lower to 1.0% m/m. The largest component of public construction, highway and street edged down 0.2%, while the second largest, education rose 0.9%.
</p>
<p align="justify">The construction spending figures, some of which date back to
1946, are in Haver's <b>USECON</b> database. The expectations reading can be found
in the <b>AS1REPNA</b> database.</p>

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<table class="centered" width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0">
	<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>

  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th class="firstcol" scope="col" >Construction Put in Place
        (SA, %)</th>
      <th scope="col" >May</th>
      <th scope="col" >Apr</th>
      <th scope="col" >Mar</th>
      <th scope="col" >May Y/Y</th>
      <th scope="col" >2017</th>
      <th scope="col" >2016</th>
      <th scope="col" >2015</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td class="firstcol" >Total</td>
      <td  >0.4</td>
      <td  >0.9</td>
      <td  >-0.9</td>
      <td  >4.5</td>
      <td  >4.1</td>
      <td  >6.5</td>
      <td  >10.7</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
  <tbody>
    <tr class="odd">
      <td class="firstcol" >&nbsp; Private</td>
      <td  >0.3</td>
      <td  >0.4</td>
      <td  >-1.5</td>
      <td  >4.4</td>
      <td  >6.2</td>
      <td  >9.2</td>
      <td  >12.9</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td class="firstcol" >&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Residential</td>
      <td  >0.8</td>
      <td  >0.5</td>
      <td  >-2.4</td>
      <td  >6.6</td>
      <td  >10.9</td>
      <td  >10.5</td>
      <td  >14.2</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
  <tbody>
    <tr class="odd">
      <td class="firstcol" >&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Nonresidential</td>
      <td  >-0.3</td>
      <td  >0.4</td>
      <td  >-0.4</td>
      <td  >1.8</td>
      <td  >1.1</td>
      <td  >7.7</td>
      <td  >11.5</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td class="firstcol" >&nbsp; Public</td>
      <td  >0.7</td>
      <td  >2.3</td>
      <td  >1.0</td>
      <td  >4.7</td>
      <td  >-2.5</td>
      <td  >-1.2</td>
      <td  >5.1</td>
        </tr>
              </tbody>
            </table>
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The value of construction put-in-place increased 0.4% month-on-month in May (4.5% year-on-year), slightly less than the 0.5% expected by the Action Economics Forecast Survey. April's gain was cut in half to 0.9% m/m and March's drop [...]

U.S. Construction Spending Weaker Than Expected; Q2 Remains Strong

Tom Moeller

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<p align="justify">PREVIOUS DATA  Total sales of light vehicles declined 1.5% during May (+0.7%
y/y) to 16.91 million units (SAAR).............

</p><p align="justify">

</p><p align="justify">U.S. vehicle sales figures can be found in Haver's <b>USECON</b> database.</p>

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      <a href="/comment/180703d.png" name="modal"><img class="small" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/180703d.png"></a></p>

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	<colgroup><col><col><col><col><col><col><col><col></colgroup>

  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th class="firstcol" scope="col" >Light Weight Vehicle Sales
        (SAAR, Million Units)</th>
      <th scope="col" ><b>May</b></th>
      <th scope="col" ><b>Apr</b></th>
      <th scope="col" ><b>Mar</b></th>
      <th scope="col" ><b>May Y/Y %</b></th>
      <th scope="col" ><b>2017</b></th>
      <th scope="col" ><b>2016</b></th>
      <th scope="col" ><b>2015</b></th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
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      <td class="firstcol" >Total</td>
      <td  >16.91</td>
      <td  >17.17</td>
      <td  >17.48</td>
      <td  >0.7</td>
      <td  >17.27</td>
      <td  >17.55</td>
      <td  >17.48</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="odd">
      <td class="firstcol" >&nbsp;Autos</td>
      <td  >5.44</td>
      <td  >5.43</td>
      <td  >5.62</td>
      <td  >-12.8</td>
      <td  >6.35</td>
      <td  >7.10</td>
      <td  >7.73</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td class="firstcol" >&nbsp;&nbsp;Domestic</td>
      <td  >3.90</td>
      <td  >3.91</td>
      <td  >4.10</td>
      <td  >-13.5</td>
      <td  >4.59</td>
      <td  >5.20</td>
      <td  >5.63</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="odd">
      <td class="firstcol" >&nbsp;&nbsp;Imported</td>
      <td  >1.54</td>
      <td  >1.53</td>
      <td  >1.51</td>
      <td  >-11.1</td>
      <td  >1.76</td>
      <td  >1.90</td>
      <td  >2.10</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td class="firstcol" >&nbsp;Light Trucks</td>
      <td  >11.48</td>
      <td  >11.73</td>
      <td  >11.87</td>
      <td  >8.7</td>
      <td  >10.92</td>
      <td  >10.44</td>
      <td  >9.74</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="odd">
      <td class="firstcol" >&nbsp;&nbsp;Domestic</td>
      <td  >9.09</td>
      <td  >9.28</td>
      <td  >9.64</td>
      <td  >5.1</td>
      <td  >9.02</td>
      <td  >8.75</td>
      <td  >8.37</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td class="firstcol" >&nbsp;&nbsp;Imported</td>
      <td  >2.39</td>
      <td  >2.45</td>
      <td  >2.23</td>
      <td  >25.4</td>
      <td  >1.90</td>
      <td  >1.69</td>
      <td  >1.38</td>
      </tr>
              </tbody>
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PREVIOUS DATA Total sales of light vehicles declined 1.5% during May (+0.7% y/y) to 16.91 million units (SAAR)............. U.S. vehicle sales figures can be found in Haver's USECON database. Light Weight Vehicle Sales (SAAR, Million [...]

PUT NEW TT HERE

Incoming data surprising on downside in US; positive surprises elsewhere

FOMC expects more inflation and less growth than in March

With escalation of Israel/Iran conflict, geopolitical risk has recently surged while US trade policy uncertainty has ebbed

Renewed supply chain pressures point to a rebound in global inflation ahead

Apart from Japan, Blue Chip forecasters look for further significant monetary policy easing

Apart from the US, productivity is moribund

Financial market concerns ebb even though policy uncertainty continues to soar

US tariff revenues nearly doubled in April

Even with expected tariff-induced increases in inflation, BCFF forecasters look for a more aggressive round of monetary easing

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

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Nonfarm payrolls increased 147,000 (1.1% y/y) during June after rising 144,000 in May, revised from 139,000, and 158,000 in April, revised from 147,000. Expectations had been for a 113,000 rise in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. The three-month average change of 150,000 in June compared to 232,000 in January.

Average hourly earnings rose 0.2% during June after an unrevised 0.4% May gain, and a 0.2% April increase. Earnings growth of 3.7% y/y is down from a high of 4.2% last November, and has been trending lower from the 5.9% high in March 2022. A 0.3% increase expected for June.

The unemployment rate, measured in the household survey, fell m/m to 4.1%. It compared to 4.2% in May where it had been for three straight months. A rise to 4.3% was expected. It reached a low of 3.4% in April 2023. The unemployment rate, including employees working part-time for economic reasons plus all marginally-attached workers, eased to 7.7% last month from 7.8% In May. It was 6.6% in April 2023.

In the **establishment survey**, private-sector employment in June rose 74,000 (1.0% y/y) after a 137,000 May increase. Factory sector jobs declined 7,000 (-0.7% y/y) for the second consecutive month. Construction sector employment increased 15,000 (1.4% y/y), after rising 6,000 in May.

Private service-producing sector employment increased 68,000 (1.2% y/y) in June after improving 141,000 in May. Increases varied greatly amongst service sector categories. Private education & health sector employment rose 51,000 (3.3% y/y) last month while leisure & hospitality employment rose 20,000 (1.4% y/y). Trade, transportation & utilities employment gained 3,000 (0.6% y/y) and financial activities employment improved 3,000 (1.0% y/y).

Government sector payrolls strengthened 73,000 (1.5% y/y) last month following a 7,000 rise in May. State government employment increased 47,000 (2.8% y/y) while the number of local government jobs rose 33,000 (1.7% y/y). Federal government payrolls fell 7,000 (-2.1% y/y), the fifth straight monthly decline.

Private-sector average hourly earnings rose 0.2% (3.7% y/y) in June following unrevised increases of 0.4% in May and 0.2% in April. Earnings in the goods-producing sector edged 0.1% (3.6% y/y) higher. In construction earnings rose 0.4% (3.9% y/y) but factory sector earnings eased 0.1% (+3.5% y/y). In the private services-sector, earnings rose 0.2% (3.7% y/y) in June.

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The length of the average workweek shortened to 34.2 hours in June from 34.3 hours in May. The workweek in the goods-producing sector was unchanged at 39.8 hours. The construction sector average workweek eased to 38.9 hours while the factory sector workweek held steady at 40.1 hours. The average workweek in the private service sector eased to 33.1 hours.

In the **household survey**, the unemployment rate dipped to 4.1% in June from 4.2% in May as employment rose 96,000 and the size of the labor force declined 130,000, off for the second straight month. The labor force participation rate eased to 62.3% last month and remained below the high of 63.3% early in 2020. The rate for teenagers plunged to 35.1%, a five-year low. For workers aged 20-24, the rate declined to 71.0%. For workers aged 25-54, the participation rate edged up to 83.5%. For individuals 55 and over, the rate eased to nearly a 20-year low of 38.0% in June.

The employment/population ratio for all workers held steady at 59.7% last month. It remained below the peak reading of 61.1% in February, 2020 just prior to the pandemic.

The employment and earnings data are collected from surveys taken each month during the week containing the 12th day of the month. The labor market data are contained in Haver's **USECON** database. Detailed figures are in the **EMPL** and **LABOR** databases. The expectations figures are in the **AS1REPNA** database.

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- Job growth improves with strength in state & local gov’t hiring.
- Earnings gain decelerates.
- Jobless rate falls to four-month low.

U.S. Job Growth Firms in June, While Earnings Growth & Jobless Rate Decline

Sandy Batten

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The U.S. trade deficit in goods and services (BOP basis) widened to $71.5 billion in May from a downwardly revised $60.3 billion in April (previously -$61.6 billion), according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The actual widening met the Action Economics Forecast Survey expectation. Exports fell 4.0% m/m (+5.3% y/y), the first monthly decline in five months, led by a 5.7% m/m decline in goods exports. Imports edged down 0.1% m/m (+3.3% y/y) in May after a 16.3% m/m plunge in April. Imports of goods have cooled markedly in the past two months after surging during Q1 as importers attempted to front run expected increases in tariffs.

The real (inflation adjusted) goods trade deficit widened to $92.5 billion (2017$) in May from $84.4 billion in April. The real trade deficit had widened to record levels during the first quarter with net exports subtracting 4.6%-points from Q1 GDP. The April/May figures put the real balance on course to narrow by roughly $150 billion in Q2 (at a quarterly rate), which would mean that net exports in the national accounts could add 2-1/2 to 3%-points to Q2 GDP.

The trade deficit in goods widened to $97.5 billion in May from $86.3 billion in April. Goods exports fell 5.7% m/m, the first monthly decline in five months. Exports of nonmonetary gold fell $5.5 billion (-56.4% m/m) while exports of finished metal shapes (which includes other forms of nonmonetary gold) fell $1.0 billion (-10.0% m/m). Both of these had surged in April, reflecting re-exports of previous nonmonetary gold imports that had risen markedly in Q1 in an attempt to front run expected tariff increases. More generally, exports of industrial supplies and materials slumped 13.3% m/m in May after a 16.1% m/m jump in April. Capital goods ex autos declined 3.1% m/m, and food exports fell 2.5% m/m, the fifth monthly decline in the past six months. In contrast, auto exports rebounded, rising 3.6% m/m, but failed to come close to reversing the 21.5% plunge in April. Exports of nonfood consumer goods ex autos posted a solid 6.9% monthly gain after having declined in each of the preceding two months.

Imports of goods edged down 0.1% m/m (+2.8% y/y) in May on top of a 19.9% monthly plunge in April, indicating that the surge in imports in Q1 ahead of expected tariff hikes has run its course. Auto imports jumped 10.3% m/m after a 19.9% monthly decline in April. Imports of “other” goods rebounded 8.4% m/m in May following a 3.3% m/m decline in April. In contrast, imports of industrial supplies and materials fell 1.8% m/m, the fourth consecutive monthly decline. Imports of nonfood consumer goods ex autos fell 5.7% m/m on top of a 32.0% drop in April. Food imports posted a small monthly decline while imports of capital goods ex autos posted a small increase.

The services trade surplus narrowed marginally to $25.99 billion in May from $26.05 billion in April. Exports of services slid 0.2% m/m after a 2.2% monthly increase in April. Exports of transport services fell 2.0% m/m, the third monthly decline in the past four months. Travel exports declined 1.8% m/m, the fourth monthly decline in the past five months. In contrast, maintenance services exports rose 2.1% m/m; exports of insurance services increased 1.5% m/m; exports of intellectual property rose 0.9% m/m; and construction service exports gained 1.4% m/m. Services imports declined 0.2% m/m in May, the first monthly decline in three months. Imported transport services fell 3.3% m/m, the fourth monthly decline in the past five months. Travel imports declined 1.0% m/m, also the fourth monthly decline in the past five months. In contrast, imported construction services jumped 3.9% m/m and imported intellectual property rose 1.6% m/m.

The U.S. goods trade deficit with China narrowed markedly to a seasonally adjusted $14.0 billion from $19.7 billion in April and $24.2 billion March. This is the smallest monthly deficit with China in the history of the series, which dates back to 2009. Exports to China plunged 19.9% m/m while imports from China plummeted 26.3% m/m. The trade deficit with the European Union widened to $22.5 billion from $17.9 billion in April. The trade deficit with Japan narrowed marginally to $5.77 billion in May from $5.81 billion in April.

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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- Trade deficit widened in May on decline in goods exports.
- Still, the real deficit in April/May points to net exports making a meaningful positive contribution to Q2 GDP.
- Both exports and imports declined in May.
- Series low trade deficit with China.

U.S. Trade Deficit Widened in May

Kathleen Stephansen, CBE

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Initial claims for unemployment insurance were 233,000 in the week of June 28, down 4,000 from 237,000 in the week ending June 21, revised from 236,000. The Action Economics Forecast Survey expected 240,000. These data are seasonally adjusted by the Department of Labor. The 4-week moving average was 241,500, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week’s average of 245,250, revised from 245,000.

The total number of unemployment insurance beneficiaries – also known as “continuing claims” – in the week ended June 21 was 1.964 million, unchanged from the prior week’s level, which was revised down from 1.974 million. The 4-week moving average was 1.954 million, up from 1.938 million in the previous week, revised from 1.941 million. This is the highest level for this average since November 20, 2021, when it was 2.004 million.

The insured unemployment rate for the week ending June 21, that is, the number of unemployment beneficiaries as a % of covered employment, was unchanged at 1.3% for the fourth consecutive week.

Economic conditions vary widely across states and territories. In the week ended June 14, the highest unemployment rates were in New Jersey (2.23%), Minnesota (2.22%), Puerto Rico (2.20%), California (2.16%), Washington (1.98%), and Rhode Island (1.95%). The lowest rates were in South Dakota (0.27%), Florida (0.41%), North Carolina (0.47%), and Alabama (0.48%). Rates in other notable states include Pennsylvania (1.71%), Illinois (1.67%), New York (1.55%), and Texas (1.26%). These state data are not seasonally adjusted.

Data on weekly unemployment claims are from the Department of Labor itself, not the Bureau of Labor Statistics. They begin in 1967 and are contained in Haver’s **WEEKLY** database and summarized monthly in **USECON**. Data for individual states are in **REGIONW** back to December 1986. The expectations figure is from the Action Economics Forecast Survey in the **AS1REPNA** database.

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- Initial claims for unemployment insurance declined by 4,000 in the week ended June 28.
- Total number of beneficiaries was unchanged in the week of June 21 week.
- The insured unemployment rate was unchanged at 1.3%.

U.S. Initial Jobless Claims Decreased in Latest Week

Andrew Cates

**The Blue Chip interest rate consensus**
The latest Blue Chip Financial Forecasts survey suggests that monetary policy across most major advanced economies is expected to loosen modestly over the next six months. Central banks in the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and the euro area are all forecast to cut rates to varying degrees, with Australia expected to deliver the largest reduction. In contrast, Japan continues to stand out as the only major economy where forecasters see scope for a slight increase in rates, highlighting its unique position in the global policy cycle. Overall, the chart reflects a broad but uneven tilt towards monetary easing as policymakers respond to softer inflation and growth signals.

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**The US dollar and data surprises** 
This next chart shows that the recent bout of US dollar weakness has coincided with a period in which US economic data surprises have turned more negative relative to the euro area. The surprise index differential between the US and euro area —measuring US growth surprises minus euro surprises—has declined, pointing to a run of weaker-than-expected US data and stronger euro area outturns. Historically, this has tended to pull the euro higher relative to the dollar. However, the scale of the dollar’s recent slide appears larger than the data surprises alone would imply, suggesting that other forces are potentially weighing on the currency as well.

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**US stagflation risk**
Latest ISM manufacturing survey data highlight a worrying decoupling between input costs and underlying demand that points to potential stagflation pressures in the US economy. Historically, the ISM New Orders Index and the Prices Paid Index have tended to move broadly in sync, reflecting cycles where stronger demand drives both production and cost pressures higher. However, the chart shows that while prices paid have recently rebounded sharply, new orders have remained subdued and stuck near contractionary territory. This breakdown suggests that firms are facing rising input costs without a corresponding pickup in demand—an imbalance that could be amplified by US tariff measures, which tend to push up costs for imported materials and components while weighing on new orders through weaker trade flows.

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**US Supply Chain Risks** 
Added to this, the number of vessels queuing at the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbours has climbed to elevated levels in recent weeks, highlighting supply chain bottlenecks on the US West Coast. While various factors may be driving this congestion—including seasonal trade patterns and shifts in global shipping routes—recent tariff measures could be contributing as well. New or increased tariffs sometimes distort normal trade flows by prompting importers to front-load shipments ahead of cost increases or reroute sourcing strategies in ways that strain particular ports.

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**Global warming** 
Pivoting to more structural issues, the next chart highlights the persistent upward trend in global surface temperature anomalies over the past century, with both land and ocean temperatures now averaging well over one degree Celsius. This long-term warming signal continues to manifest in extreme weather events and record-breaking heat waves, including the unusually high temperatures that have swept parts of Europe in recent days, pushing June readings to historic highs in several regions.

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**Climate change and productivity** 
This final chart illustrates the projected impact of heat stress on labour productivity in Europe under current climate policy scenarios, highlighting how rising temperatures could steadily erode worker efficiency over the coming decades. As shown, the median estimates from the Climate Analytics group suggest that productivity losses could deepen from around 0.3 percentage points today to nearly 0.9 percentage points by mid-century if climate conditions remain unchanged. These figures reflect the physical limits of the human body’s capacity to perform work in increasingly hot and humid environments, a challenge that will become more acute if climate change continues on its current path. With recent record-high June temperatures across parts of Europe underscoring the reality of more frequent heat extremes, these projections serve as a clear reminder of the economic stakes involved in addressing climate risks and investing in adaptation measures to protect labour productivity and economic resilience.

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Financial markets have remained generally buoyant in recent days, with global equity indices advancing on the back of relatively upbeat global growth data, benign European inflation readings and the prospect of further policy easing from major central banks. At the same time, the US dollar has continued to weaken, reflecting a run of disappointing US economic data and rising investor concerns about the fiscal outlook, even as European growth surprises have turned more positive. This divergence, combined with the prospect of lower US policy rates relative to some (though not all) peers, has added to the dollar’s drift lower (charts 1 and 2). Supply chain strains—highlighted by elevated vessel queues at US West Coast ports—also feed into the narrative that US tariff measures may be contributing to sticky input costs and stagflation risks (charts 3 and 4). Meanwhile, record temperatures in parts of Europe this week have reinforced the climate challenge facing policymakers, with the final two charts illustrating how rising global temperatures and heat stress could increasingly weigh on productivity and growth potential if left unchecked. With trading volumes light ahead of the July 4th holiday and markets awaiting tomorrow’s US non-farm payrolls report, the interplay between softer US data, resilient equities, a weaker dollar, and climate-related risks remains firmly in focus.

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Charts of the Week: Headwinds and Heatwaves

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The ADP National Employment Report reported that nonfarm private sector payrolls declined 33,000 (+1.1% y/y) during June after rising 29,000 in May, revised from 37,000 and increasing an unrevised 60,000 in April. It was the first monthly decline since March 2023. A 110,000 June rise had been expected in the in the Action Economics Forecast Survey.

Small business hiring (less than 50 employees) declined 47,000 (+0.4% y/y), after falling 13,000 in May. These were the first back-to-back monthly declines since the end of 2023. Employment at medium-sized firms (50-499,000 employees) declined 15,000 (1.1% y/y), after rising 46,000 in May, revised from 49,000. Large business hiring (500+ employees) increased 30,000 (2.7% y/y) after easing 4,000 in May.

Goods-producing employment rose 32,000 (1.4% y/y) in June after falling a minimally revised 3,000 in May. Manufacturing jobs increased 15,000, unchanged y/y, following a 6,000 decline in May. The number of construction sector jobs rose 9,000 (2.8% y/y) after increasing 6,000 in May. Natural resources & mining jobs rose 8,000 (4.3% y/y) in June after falling 3,000 in May.

The decline in payrolls overall reflected weakness in the service sector where the number of service-producing jobs declined 66,000 last month (+1.1% y/y) after increasing 32,000 in May, revised from 36,000. Professional & business services employment fell 56,000 (+0.2% y/y), after declining 13,000 in May. These weak readings came after a 1,000 April gain and a 46,000 March increase. Education & health services employment declined 52,000 (+0.8% y/y), the third consecutive month of decline. Employment in the financial industry weakened 14,000 (+1.8% y/y) last month, after rising 17,000 in May.

Offsetting these declines, leisure & hospitality employment increased 32,000 in June (3.2% y/y), following a 43,000 May gain. Monthly increases have averaged 36,000 this year. Trade, transportation & utilities employment increased 14,000 (0.3% y/y) after falling 8,000 in May. Information sector employment rose 5,000 (0.2% y/y) after a 4,000 May increase and a 10,000 April decline. Employment in “other” services sectors rose 5,000 in June (2.9% y/y), the same as in May.

Growth in median annual pay for "job stayers" slipped to 4.4% y/y in June, down from a high of 7.8% in September 2022. Manufacturing sector pay grew 4.6% y/y, steady with May. Construction sector pay also rose a steady 4.6% y/y. Natural resource & mining sector pay grew 4.5% y/y last month. Financial sector earnings rose an improved 5.2% y/y, while education & health services pay rose a lessened 4.6% y/y. Leisure & hospitality pay increased 4.7% y/y in June. Professional & business service sector pay increased a lessened 4.2% y/y as did trade, transportation & utilities pay, up 4.2% y/y. Information pay rose a lessened 4.1% y/y. Median annual pay for “job changers” rose 6.8% y/y in June, down from a high of 16.1% y/y in April 2022.

By region, employment in the Midwest declined 24,000 (+1.3% y/y) to 28,761 million after a 17,000 rise in May. Employment in the West, declined 20,000 to 31,363 million (+0.5% y/y) last month, and reversed a 31,000 rise during May. Employment in the Northeast fell 3,000 to 24,116 million (+1.4% y/y) in June, following a 23,000 decline in May. Partially offsetting these declines, in the South employment increased 13,000 to 50,092 million (1.0% y/y) in June, after rising 2,000 in May.

The ADP National Employment Report and Pay Insights data can be found in Haver's **USECON** database. Historical figures date back to January 2010 for private employment. Pay data date back to October 2020. The expectation figure is available in Haver's **AS1REPNA** database.

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- Employment declines in several service industries; factory & building industry jobs rise.
- Wage growth moderates further.
- Small- & medium-sized shed jobs.

Economy in Brief: July 2018

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