Tom Moeller

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<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060801h.jpg" width="353">
Weekly chain store sales rose another 0.9% last week after a 0.2% increase the prior period, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)-UBS survey.
The moderate increases continued to leave sales below earlier levels. As a result sales this month are running 0.6% below the June average.
Both the June &amp; May average sales levels fell 0.4% from the prior month. 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.
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.
The leading indicator of chain store sales from ICSC-UBS fell another 0.1% (-1.4% y/y) in the latest week.
Retail gasoline prices during the last week of July ticked up slightly and the average retail price for regular unleaded gas settled at $3.00 per gallon (31.1% y/y) and prices in July averaged $2.98.

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<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">07/29/06</th>
<th scope="col">07/22/06</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
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</thead>
<tbody>
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<td class="firstcol">Total Weekly Chain Store Sales</td>
<td>471.2</td>
<td>467.1</td>
<td>1.8%</td>
<td>3.6%</td>
<td>4.7%</td>
<td>2.9%</td>
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</tbody>
</table>


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Weekly chain store sales rose another 0.9% last week after a 0.2% increase the prior period, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC)-UBS survey. The moderate increases continued to leave sales below earlier [...]

Weekly Chain Store Sales Up Moderately

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<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060801c.jpg" width="353">
Challenger, Grey &amp; Christmas reported that announced job cuts in July more than reversed the prior month&#39;s gain and dropped 44.7% to 37,178, the lowest level since June of 2000.
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 fell sharply m/m in the automotive (-57.2% y/y), computer (-85.5% y/y), financial (-85.1% y/y), health care (65.8% y/y), industrial goods (-35.8% y/y) and pharmaceutical (-86.0% y/y) industries.
Job cut announcements differ from layoffs. Many are achieved through attrition, early retirement or just never occur.
A m/m increase in the level of layoffs was reported in the electronics (-91.5% y/y), chemical (-66.1% y/y) and the entertainment &amp; leisure (+24.4% y/y) industries.
Challenger also reported that announced hiring plans more than doubled m/m (27.1% y/y).

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<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">July</th>
<th scope="col">June</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
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</thead>
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<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Announced Job Cuts</td>
<td>37,178</td>
<td>67,176</td>
<td>-63.9%</td>
<td>1,072,054</td>
<td>1,039,935</td>
<td>1,236,426</td>
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Challenger, Grey & Christmas reported that announced job cuts in July more than reversed the prior month's gain and dropped 44.7% to 37,178, the lowest level since June of 2000. During the last ten years there has been an 83% [...]

Challenger Layoffs Lowest Since 2000

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<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060801d.jpg" width="353">
The value of construction put in place rose 0.3% in June following a slight May decline that was upwardly revised. Consensus expectations had been for a 0.1% increase.
Another strong gain in nonresidential building, up 2.7%, bolstered the June total. Office construction jumped 1.9% (12.6% y/y) while multi-retail building surged another 3.1% (52.5% y/y) and a 10.5% spike during May was double the initial estimate. Building by the factory sector surged 8.1% (34.7% y/y).
Residential building activity fell for the third straight month. The 1.0% decline was led by 2.1% drop in new single family building (-1.2% y/y). That&#39;s the first y/y decline since late 2000. Spending on multi-family projects ticked up 0.1% (14.7% y/y) while the value of spending on improvements jumped 1.6% (-1.6% y/y) but the prior month&#39;s surge was revised away.<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060801e.jpg" width="353">
During the last twenty years there has been an 84% correlation between the q/q change in the value of residential building and its contribution to growth in real GDP. During April and May the value of residential building activity was down 1.3% from the 1Q average.
Public construction spending increased 0.8%. Construction activity on highways &amp; streets, nearly one third of the value of public construction spending, rose just 0.1% (19.7% y/y) but the prior month&#39;s 0.1% gain reported initially was revised to a 4.3% surge.
These more detailed categories represent the Census Bureau&#146;s reclassification of construction activity into end-use groups. Finer detail is available for many of the categories; for instance, commercial construction is shown for Automotive sales and parking facilities, drugstores, building supply stores, and both commercial warehouses and mini-storage facilities. Note that start dates vary for some seasonally adjusted line items in 2000 and 2002 and that constant-dollar data are no longer computed.

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<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/USECON/@E9/@E907/@E90701/@E90701.HTM">Construction Put-in-place</a></th>
<th scope="col">June</th>
<th scope="col">May</th>
<th scope="col">Y/Y</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
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</thead>
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<td class="firstcol">Total</td>
<td>0.3%</td>
<td>-0.0%</td>
<td>6.8%</td>
<td>10.7%</td>
<td>11.5%</td>
<td>5.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Private</td>
<td>0.1%</td>
<td>-0.5%</td>
<td>6.0%</td>
<td>12.0%</td>
<td>14.3%</td>
<td>6.4%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Residential</td>
<td>-1.0%</td>
<td>-1.4%</td>
<td>-0.1%</td>
<td>13.9%</td>
<td>18.6%</td>
<td>12.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Nonresidential</td>
<td>2.7%</td>
<td>1.6%</td>
<td>21.6%</td>
<td>7.4%</td>
<td>5.3%</td>
<td>-4.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Public</td>
<td>0.8%</td>
<td>1.6%</td>
<td>9.7%</td>
<td>6.2%</td>
<td>2.8%</td>
<td>2.9%</td>
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The value of construction put in place rose 0.3% in June following a slight May decline that was upwardly revised. Consensus expectations had been for a 0.1% increase. Another strong gain in nonresidential building, up 2.7%, bolstered [...]

U.S. Construction Spending Supported By Nonresidential

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<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060801f.jpg" width="353">
In July, the Composite Index of factory sector activity more than recovered the prior month&#39;s decline and rose to 54.7, reported the Institute for Supply Management. Consensus expectations had been for a slight decline to 53.5.
During the last twenty years there has been a 68% correlation between the level of the Composite Index and the three month growth in factory sector industrial production.
The production index rose to 57.5, the highest level since April but new orders gave back half of a June increase. New export orders fell to the lowest level (51.9) since June of last year.<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060801g.jpg" width="353">
The employment index recovered half of the prior month&#39;s decline and rose to 50.7. During the last twenty years there has been a 66% correlation between the level of the ISM employment Index and the three month growth in factory sector employment.
The price index surged to the highest level (78.5) since last October. During the last twenty years there has been a 91% correlation between the price index and the three month change in the PPI for intermediate goods less food &amp; energy.

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<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/USECON/@EF/@EF02/@EF02.HTM">ISM Manufacturing Survey</a></th>
<th scope="col">July</th>
<th scope="col">Jun</th>
<th scope="col">July &#39;05</th>
<th scope="col">2005</th>
<th scope="col">2004</th>
<th scope="col">2003</th>
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</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Composite Index</td>
<td>54.7</td>
<td>53.8</td>
<td>56.4</td>
<td>55.5</td>
<td>60.5</td>
<td>53.3</td>
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In July, the Composite Index of factory sector activity more than recovered the prior month's decline and rose to 54.7, reported the Institute for Supply Management. Consensus expectations had been for a slight decline to 53.5. During [...]

ISM Index Recovered in July

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<img align="left" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060801a.jpg" width="353">
Personal income rose an expected 0.6% during June following an unrevised 0.4% increase in May. Earlier data reflected benchmark revision.
Wage &amp; salary disbursements jumped 0.6% (6.9% y/y) in June following an unrevised no change the prior month. Strength was led by a 0.7% (7.9% y/y increase in private service-producing industry wages. Factory sector wages rose 0.3% (5.1% y/y) after an upwardly revised no change during May while earlier figures generally were revised up.
Higher interest rates boosted interest income by 1.7% (10.1% y/y) and dividend income jumped 1.0% (11.2% y/y).
Disposable personal income increased 0.6% (5.3% y/y) after a 0.4% rise in May. Personal taxes rose 1.0% (15.4% y/y).
Adjusted for price inflation, disposable personal income rose 0.4% (1.7% y/y) after an unrevised slight decline in May. Real disposable income per capita rose 0.3% (0.8% y/y).<img align="right" border="0" height="265" src="https://haver-commentaries.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/comments/060801b.jpg" width="353">
Personal consumption again matched Consensus expectations for a 0.4% rise after an upwardly revised 0.6% May rise. Adjusted for price inflation spending rose 0.2% (2.6% y/y) for the third straight month.
The PCE chain price index rose an expected 0.2%. Less food &amp; energy prices rose 0.2% (2.4% y/y). The expected increase was the fifth in the last six months.
The personal savings rate was again negative. Should the Decline in the Personal Saving Rate Be a Cause for Concern? from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is available <a href="http://www.kansascityfed.org/PUBLICAT/ECONREV/PDF/2Q06garn.pdf">here</a>.
The Anxious Index, a measure of the probability of a recession in the U.S. economy, from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia is available <a href="http://www.philadelphiafed.org/files/spf/anxind.html"> here</a>. 

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<th scope="col" class="firstcol"><a href="http://www.haverselect.com/dlx/USECON/@E7/@E711/@E71102/@E71102.HTM">Disposition of Personal Income</a></th>
<th scope="col">June</th>
<th scope="col">May</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">Personal Income</td>
<td>0.6%</td>
<td>0.4%</td>
<td>6.5%</td>
<td>5.2%</td>
<td>6.2%</td>
<td>3.2%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">Personal Consumption</td>
<td>0.4%</td>
<td>0.6%</td>
<td>6.2%</td>
<td>6.5%</td>
<td>6.6%</td>
<td>4.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">Savings Rate</td>
<td>-1.5%</td>
<td>-1.6%</td>
<td>-0.5% (June &#39;05)</td>
<td>-0.4%</td>
<td>2.0%</td>
<td>2.1%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="firstcol">PCE Chain Price Index</td>
<td>0.2%</td>
<td>0.4%</td>
<td>3.5%</td>
<td>2.9%</td>
<td>2.6%</td>
<td>2.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td class="firstcol">&nbsp; Less food &amp; energy</td>
<td>0.2%</td>
<td>0.2%</td>
<td>2.4%</td>
<td>2.1%</td>
<td>2.0%</td>
<td>1.4%</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


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Personal income rose an expected 0.6% during June following an unrevised 0.4% increase in May. Earlier data reflected benchmark revision. Wage & salary disbursements jumped 0.6% (6.9% y/y) in June following an unrevised no change the [...]

U.S. Personal Income Up 0.6% As Expected

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

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

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Andrew Cates

**The global business cycle** 
The recent sharp decline in the Future Output Balance in the global composite PMI survey reflects a sudden deterioration in global business expectations. The sweeping tariffs, introduced in April 2025, have generated heightened uncertainty around trade policy and sparked fears of retaliatory actions from key trading partners. As a result, businesses worldwide are scaling back their expectations for future output, wary of rising costs, disrupted demand flows, and a broader shift toward protectionism that could undermine global economic momentum.

250507Z1.jpg

Note: The extreme declines in the Future Output Balance that were recorded in the early months of 2020 (at the height of the COVID pandemic) have been removed from this chart.

**Global supply chain pressures**
Still, despite the marked deterioration in global business expectations, this second chart below provides a reassuring counterpoint: as of now, there is little evidence that global supply chain pressures have materially intensified. Both the New York Fed’s Global Supply Chain Pressure Index and the Baltic Exchange Dry Index remain relatively subdued, especially compared to the pandemic-era spikes of 2020–2022. While there has been heightened concern following the April 2025 US tariff announcements, these trade policy shifts have yet to translate into measurable physical disruption in logistics or freight rates. The stability of these indices suggests that although sentiment has taken a hit, global shipping networks and supply flows are, for now, absorbing the shock. However, this calm may prove fragile if the policy environment hardens further or retaliatory trade actions begin to compound the strain.

250507Z2.jpg

**Expectations for central banks’ policy rates** 
Adding to the picture of mounting economic caution, the latest Blue Chip Financial Forecasts survey reveals that expectations for policy easing over the next 12 months have become even more pronounced than in previous months. While earlier surveys had already pointed to a further extension of the global rate-cutting cycle, the latest results suggest forecasters now anticipate a deeper and more aggressive round of monetary easing—most notably from the US Federal Reserve, which is now expected to deliver nearly a full percentage point in rate cuts over the next 12 months. The sharp deterioration in business sentiment is reshaping the macro narrative: central banks are no longer simply guiding inflation lower, but are instead preparing to confront the risk of a deeper, demand-driven slowdown.

250507Z3.jpg

**Energy prices and inflation** 
Adding further context to the growing expectations for policy easing, oil prices have dropped sharply in recent weeks—driven by mounting concerns over global growth, as reflected in weakening business sentiment and softer demand indicators. The chart below provides a longer-run perspective on why this matters: energy prices have historically played a central role in shaping the global inflation trajectory. The strong positive correlation (r = 0.83) between median world energy price inflation and median core consumer price inflation underscores the powerful pass-through effects energy costs can have on broader price dynamics. While core inflation tends to be stickier, this historical relationship makes clear that sustained declines in energy prices often foreshadow broader disinflationary trends.

250507Z4.jpg

**Intangibles versus tangibles** 
Shifting focus from short-term cyclical risks to longer-term structural dynamics, the next chart below underscores a fundamental transformation in the composition of US investment: the economy has increasingly been built on intangibles. Over the past several decades, investment in intangible assets—such as software, intellectual property, R&D, and brand equity—has steadily climbed and, since the mid-2010s, has overtaken investment in both structures and equipment as a share of GDP. This shift reflects the rise of a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy, but it also introduces new forms of vulnerability. Unlike physical capital, intangible assets rely heavily on trust, reputation, legal protections, and global openness. In this context, escalating trade frictions and a more confrontational US economic stance—as signalled by the recent tariff wave—risk eroding the goodwill and institutional credibility that underpin much of the value created by intangibles. If geopolitical uncertainty undermines the perceived reliability of US intellectual property protections or weakens global collaboration, it could pose a deeper structural challenge to future growth than any immediate cyclical downturn.

250507Z5.jpg

**Investment in Artificial Intelligence**
The centrality of intangibles to the US growth model is nowhere more evident than in the explosion of private investment in artificial intelligence. As this chart illustrates, global AI investment has surged over the past decade—reaching new highs in 2024—and the United States has consistently accounted for the lion’s share of that spending. This reflects not only America’s previous leadership in frontier technologies but also its dependence on intangible capital, from algorithms and data infrastructure to human expertise and institutional trust. However, this dominance also underscores the strategic stakes of current policy choices. In an environment of rising trade tensions and potential fragmentation, the foundations of US leadership in AI—cross-border collaboration, data openness, and global market access—could be at risk.

250507Z6.jpg

Financial market sentiment has rebounded in recent weeks, buoyed by signs of de-escalation in the US-led trade war and growing confidence that central banks—particularly the Federal Reserve—will step in with more rate cuts to cushion any fallout. Yet beneath the surface, a more sobering picture of the global economy persists. For example, latest PMI surveys reveal that global business expectations have slumped to their lowest levels since the pandemic, reflecting widespread unease about the growth outlook (chart 1). While supply chain pressures have so far remained contained, suggesting no repeat of the logistical chaos seen during the pandemic (chart 2), the latest Blue Chip Financial Forecasts survey reveals that forecasters are now pencilling in deeper and more widespread monetary easing than previously anticipated—an acknowledgment that demand is faltering (chart 3). Falling oil prices further reinforce this view: they are both a symptom of weakening global demand and a potential source of disinflation, reducing the urgency for central banks to maintain tight policy (chart 4). At the structural level, the US economy's increasing reliance on intangible assets—ranging from intellectual property to reputation—has made it more vulnerable to geopolitical frictions and the erosion of global trust (chart 5). This risk is compounded by America's dominant role in AI investment, a sector symbolic of both its economic strengths and its exposure to international perceptions (chart 6). The longer-term challenge, then, is not just navigating the current downturn, but ensuring that the institutional goodwill and cross-border openness that support the modern US economy are not sacrificed in a more fragmented and uncertain global order.

Charts of the Week: Relief Rally Meets Recession Risk

250507J1.jpg

250507K1.jpg

At today’s meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the target range for the Fed funds rate was left unchanged at 4.25% to 4.50%. This followed reductions at three consecutive meetings in the fall of 2024. Rates remain below the high of 5.25% to 5.50% in place in mid-September. Today’s target range matched expectations in the Action Economics Forecast Survey.

The statement following the meeting indicated that, “The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. Uncertainty about the economic outlook has increased further. The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate and judges that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen.”

“The Committee's assessments will take into account a wide range of information, including readings on labor market conditions, inflation pressures and inflation expectations, and financial and international developments.”

The Fed continued, “The Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage backed securities.”

250507L1.jpg

250507M1.jpg

- FOMC holds funds rate target at late-December level.
- Risk assessments include higher unemployment & inflation.

FOMC Targeted Funds Rate Range Is Unchanged; Increased Risks Acknowledged

Kathleen Stephansen, CBE

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Consumer credit outstanding rose $10.2 billion (1.9% y/y) during March after declining by $0.6 billion (+1.7% y/y) during February, revised from a decline of $0.8 billion (+1.7% y/y. A $10.0 billion rise had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. As a percentage of disposable personal income, consumer credit was 22.4% in March, compared to 22.9% one year earlier.

Nonrevolving credit outstanding rose $8.3 billion (1.5% y/y) in March after easing $0.3 billion (1.3% y/y) in February. Nonrevolving credit held by depository institutions declined 7.8% y/y in March after declining 9.0% y/y in February. Finance company debt holdings rose 0.8% y/y, while credit union holdings eased 1.9% y/y in March. Nonrevolving debt held by the federal government rose 3.4% y/y.

In March, revolving credit outstanding, which includes credit cards, rose $1.9 billion (2.9% y/y) following a decline of $0.3 billion (2.9% y/y) in February. Revolving credit outstanding held by depository institutions fell 1.5% y/y. Revolving credit held by finance companies dropped 12.2% y/y, while that held by credit unions rose 3.7% y/y.

The consumer credit figures from the Federal Reserve Board are break-adjusted and calculated by Haver Analytics. The breaks in the series in 2005, 2010 and 2015 are the result of the incorporation of data from the Census and the Survey of Finance Companies, as well as changes in the seasonal adjustment methodology. The consumer credit data are available in Haver’s **USECON** database. The Action Economics forecast figures are contained in the **AS1REPNA** database.

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- Consumer credit rises close to expectations.
- Nonrevolving and revolving credit rise.


U.S. Consumer Credit Rebounded in March

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Mortgage applications increased 11.0% (26.0% y/y) in the week ended May 2, after declining 4.2% in the week ended April 25, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey. Applications to purchase a home rose 11.1% (12.9% y/y) in the week ended May 2 after declining 4.4% in the previous week. Loan applications to refinance a home loan also increased 11.1% (51.0% y/y) in the latest week after falling 3.7% in the prior week.

The effective interest rate on a 30-year fixed rate loan of 7.03% in the week ended May 2 compared to 7.08% in the prior week. The effective rate on a 15-year fixed rate loan of 6.34% in the week ended May 2 followed 6.36% in the prior week. The rate on a 30-year jumbo loan declined to 6.99% in the latest week from 7.06% in the prior week, while the rate on a 5-year ARM eased	to 6.08% in the week ended May 2 from 6.12% in the prior week.

The share of applications to refinance an existing mortgage slipped to 37.1% in the week ended May 2 from 37.3% in the prior week. The share of loans with an adjustable rate rose to 8.3% in the latest week from 7.4% one week earlier.

The average size of a mortgage loan rose 4.2% (3.8% y/y) to $400,200 in the week ended May 2, after slipping 0.7% to $384,100 in the prior week. The average size of a loan to purchase a home increased 1.0% (0.2% y/y) to $444,300 in the latest week from $440,100 in the week prior. The average size of a loan to refinance an outstanding mortgage increased 12.3% (27.6% y/y) last week to $325,400 from $289,800 one week earlier.

The Mortgage Bankers Association Survey covers 75% of all U.S. retail residential mortgage applications and has been conducted weekly since 1990. Respondents include mortgage bankers, commercial banks and thrifts. The base period and value for all indexes is March 16, 1990=100. The figures for weekly mortgage applications and interest rates are available in Haver’s **SURVEYS** database.

- Purchase & refinancing loan applications jump.
- Effective interest rates remain range-bound.
- Average loan size increases.

Mortgage Applications Surge as Interest Rates Ease Last Week

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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.

Economy in Brief: August 2006

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Weekly Chain Store Sales Up Moderately

Challenger Layoffs Lowest Since 2000

U.S. Construction Spending Supported By Nonresidential

ISM Index Recovered in July

U.S. Personal Income Up 0.6% As Expected

ISM Index Recovered in July