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[SASEHAVR](http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/etsug/67525/HTML/default/viewer.htm#etsug_sasehavr_gettingstarted01.htm) is a seamless interface between Haver and SAS data processing that enables SAS users to read economic and financial time series data that reside in a Haver Analytics DLX (Data Link Express) database. [SASEHAVR](http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/etsug/67525/HTML/default/viewer.htm#etsug_sasehavr_gettingstarted01.htm) requires both SAS/ETS and Base SAS Software.

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Proficiency working in Jupyter notebooks and the Python environment

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Remote Training: Applied Time Series in Python

Deflation continues in China

Andrew Cates

**Equity markets and growth surprises** 
Our first chart helps explain why global equity markets have remained buoyant in recent weeks despite some softer economic signals out of the US. The Citigroup surprise indices show that, on balance, global growth data have continued to surprise on the upside, while inflation readings have generally come in lower than expected. This combination—resilient global growth alongside moderating price pressures—has been supportive for risk assets. Investors appear to be drawing confidence from the prospect of a “soft landing” global backdrop: enough growth to support earnings but with cooling inflation that keeps central banks on track to ease policy further.

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**Global growth** 
This next chart underscores, through the respective June readings for global composite PMIs, how global growth has arguably held up better than expected in recent weeks, helping to sustain positive risk sentiment. India continues to lead with a strikingly strong reading for June, signalling robust economic expansion, while the US also remains firmly in growth territory. Notably, the UK and Japan both posted healthier readings above 50, pointing to steady, broad-based momentum. China’s reading is also comfortably above 50, suggesting some resilience despite lingering concerns. Meanwhile, the euro area is hovering just above the neutral 50 mark, indicating modest growth, while South Africa and Brazil continue to lag behind, with Brazil slipping just below the expansion threshold.

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**Global supply chain pressures** 
This next chart highlights one reason why global growth has so far proven more resilient than many expected: there is little sign at the global level of renewed supply chain stress despite recent shifts in US trade policy. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s global supply chain pressure Index remains broadly stable and well below the extreme levels seen during the pandemic, suggesting that supply bottlenecks are not (yet) driving significant upward pressure on global prices. This relative calm in global logistics implies that, for now, new or higher US tariffs have not materially disrupted global supply chains in the way some had feared, helping to support steady production flows and contain cost pressures—key ingredients behind the more stable global growth picture seen in recent months

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**Asia’s trade with the US** 
All that aside, Asia’s exports to the US have already begun to weaken—despite the ongoing tariff pause—and now face broader risks as new post-pause tariff rates are announced.US President Trump’s sector-specific tariffs are weighing on exports from key trading partners, particularly in Asia. For example, auto-export-heavy economies such as Japan and South Korea have seen their rolling 12-month exports to the US stagnate this year, as Trump’s 25% auto tariffs have taken a toll. In response, some producers have been forced to cut prices to absorb part of the tariff burden, squeezing their profit margins. More broadly, China’s exports to the US have plummeted this year amid escalating trade tensions. Although both countries recently agreed to roll back many previous tariff escalations, the agreement has not fully alleviated the uncertainty surrounding the bilateral trade environment—especially given that the rollback is only temporary.

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**China’s capital flows** 
China has also experienced a sustained trend of rising capital outflows in recent years, as illustrated in the chart below. This trend has continued into 2025, with rolling four-quarter total capital outflows exceeding half a trillion US dollars in the first quarter. The surge reflects a mix of investor motivations, including a growing desire to diversify assets abroad. A significant portion of these recent outflows has come from the acquisition of foreign portfolio investment assets, indicating an outward shift of capital into international financial markets. These outflows have contributed to downward pressure on the yuan, which has depreciated notably this year. However, the impact has been partially offset by concurrent weakness in the US dollar, amid recently subdued—yet still unresolved—US-China trade tensions. Despite ongoing currency pressures, Chinese authorities have moved to increase the foreign exchange quota for Qualified Domestic Institutional Investors (QDII), allowing greater investment in overseas securities, as depreciation pressure on the yuan has eased somewhat in recent months.

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**Renewable energy production** 
On a more positive note, this final chart shows the remarkable growth trajectory of global renewable energy production over the past two decades, which has accelerated sharply in recent years. Total renewable generation has climbed steadily to exceed 5,000 terawatt-hours, with China emerging as the dominant driver of this expansion. Europe and North America have also contributed significantly, while the rest of the world is adding to the momentum as emerging markets ramp up investment in cleaner power sources. This sustained surge reflects rising global commitments to decarbonisation and the transition away from fossil fuels, underpinned by technological advances and policy support. However, it’s important to note that despite this impressive growth in renewable supply, real energy costs for many consumers have continued to rise over the same period—highlighting the challenges of integrating renewables at scale, upgrading grids, and balancing supply with demand during the transition.

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_There will be no Charts of the Week publication for the next couple of weeks. The next edition will be released on Thursday, July 30th._

Recent buoyancy in global equity markets reflects a welcome mix of encouraging signals: growth is holding up better than many feared, inflation surprises have turned more benign, and most major central banks are poised to continue lowering interest rates in the period immediately ahead (charts 1, 2 and 3). There are, however, pockets of strain beneath the surface. Trade growth in Asia has slowed, most visibly in exports to the US, as tariffs and lingering tensions weigh on key sectors (chart 4). At the same time, China’s rising capital outflows point to firms and investors hedging their bets by shifting more assets abroad (chart 5). These undercurrents hint at an uneven global picture where trade frictions and capital shifts could test the durability of the recent calm. On a more positive note, the strong, steady climb in renewable energy production is a bright spot, underscoring the scale of investment pouring into the clean energy transition—even as real energy costs remain firm (chart 6). Altogether, while the broader backdrop remains supportive, new trade barriers, shifting capital flows, and the hidden costs of the green transition are watchpoints that could unsettle markets if growth momentum stalls or policy missteps occur.

Charts of the Week: Summer Resilience

Tom Moeller

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Consumer credit outstanding increased $5.1 billion (2.0% y/y) during May after rising $16.9 billion in April, revised from $17.9 billion, and $7.9 billion in March, revised from $8.6 billion. A $12.0 billion rise had been expected in the Action Economics Forecast Survey. As a percentage of disposable personal income, consumer credit of 22.5% in May compared to 22.3% in April and 22.9% one year earlier. It reached a high of 26.4% during all of 2017.

Nonrevolving credit outstanding rose $8.6 billion (1.8% y/y) during May after rising $9.4 billion in April, revised from $10.2 billion, and $6.0 billion in March, revised from $6.8 billion. Nonrevolving credit held by depository institutions declined 7.3% y/y in May after falling 7.5% y/y in April. Finance company debt holdings eased 0.2% y/y after increasing 0.4% y/y in April, while credit union holdings rose 10.8% y/y in May after a 10.4% y/y April jump. Nonrevolving debt of the federal government rose 4.0% y/y following a 3.6% y/y rise in April.

In May, revolving credit outstanding, which includes credit cards, declined $3.5 billion (+2.6% y/y) after a $7.5 billion gain in April, revised from $7.6 billion following a little-revised rise of $1.9 billion in March. Revolving credit outstanding held by depository institutions fell 2.9% y/y after declining 2.0% y/y in April. Revolving credit held by finance companies fell 10.9% y/y after an 11.6% y/y drop in April, while credit held by credit unions rose a steady 3.9% y/y in May.

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 weakens more than expected.
- Nonrevolving credit usage eases as revolving credit declines.

U.S. Consumer Credit Slows in May

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The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index slipped 0.2% (+7.8%) to 98.6 in June after rising an unrevised 3.1% in May and falling 1.6% in April, according to the Small Business Economic Trends survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business. Six of the ten index components increased last month. The NFIB Small Business Uncertainty Index fell 5.3% (+8.5% y/y) to 89 after rising 2.2% in May. It was at the lowest level in six months.

The outlook for business conditions dropped in the latest survey. The net balance of respondents expecting the economy to improve stood at 22% last month versus 25% in May. A lessened 7% expected higher real sales in six months, compared to 10% in May. An increased 11% of respondents indicated that now was a good time to expand the business. The figure remained up from 4% last September.

Plans to make capital outlays eased to 21% of firms after rising to 22% in May. Plans to add to inventories were unchanged at -1% of survey respondents, and has been negative or zero all year. The index of expected credit conditions held steady with May at -4%. It remained up from a low of -11 in November 2023. On the labor front, the percent planning to increase employment edged up to 13% from 12% in May. The figure has trended near that level since March, but stands substantially below its high of 32% in August 2021. An increased 50% of businesses reported few or no qualified workers to fill job openings in June, up from a low of 46% last October. These readings remained below a high of 56% in August of last year.

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The net percent of firms reporting higher earnings rose to -22% last month after falling to -26% in May. The figure was increased from the August low of -37%. 

On the pricing front, the net percent raising their average selling prices rose to 29% last month from 25% in May. It had grown to 32% in February. The percentage planning to raise prices increased to 32% in June, up from a 24% low in July of 2024. Worker compensation rebounded as a net 33% of respondents lifted compensation during the last three months versus 26% in the last survey. Compensation gains peaked at 50% of firms in January 2022. A lessened net 19% of firms are making plans to raise worker compensation in the next three months, below November’s high of 28%.

Taxes were reported by an increased 19% of member firms as the single most important issue facing small businesses. These contrasted to a diminished 11% citing inflation as the most important problem. Other major concerns were the cost of labor reported by 10% of firms and government requirements, steady at 9%.

According to the Small Business Administration, there are 33 million small businesses in the United States, which employ 62 million workers. The NFIB surveys anywhere from 500 to 2000 respondents each month and the typical firm employs 10 people and reports gross sales of about $500,000 a year. The NFIB figures can be found in Haver’s **SURVEYS** database.

- Economic & sales expectations slip.
- Employment plans & job openings improve.
- Percent lifting prices and price expectations rise.

U.S. NFIB Small Business Optimism Index Dips in June

Robert Brusca

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The current and future economy watchers indexes advanced in June. In the current index, only services, housing, and employment readings weakened. In the future index, the reading for corporations weakened based on weakness for nonmanufacturing corporations. However, the improvement signaled is still quite downbeat since it only indicates that the ongoing deterioration is slower. The diffusion readings continue to be below 50, indicating pullbacks across all categories are still in train and are only letting up slightly.

While the improvements in the month-to-month readings were widespread, they were mostly small and no reading in either the current or the future survey has a diffusion value above 50%. That means that all these economy watcher readings are actually showing deterioration although on the month the rate of deterioration slowed across most category readings. In fact, there are no month-to-month readings at or above 50 in either the current or future survey in the last three months. To get a category reading of 50 or higher, we must go back to February when the reading for future employment was 50. We go back to August 2024 to find a majority of future sector reading at 50 or higher and to March 2024 to get a majority of current readings above 50.

The far-right hand column assesses the level of the June diffusion readings vs. past readings back to 2002. On that 23-year timeline, all the current and future readings have percentile standings below the 50% mark leaving all of them below their respective median readings for the period.

In the current survey, retailing and nonmanufacturers with diffusion percentile standings in their respective 41st percentiles have the strongest queue readings. The weakest reading in the current survey are the 21st percentile standings for housing and for employment.

For the future survey percentile readings, the strongest is a 45.5 percentile standing for eating and drinking places. The weakest future reading is the 24.5 percentile reading for employment.

Seeing such weakness in the current and future indexes in employment a reading that is a lynchpin for all sectors is clearly not reassuring.

At the bottom of the table, there are collected results for monthly data on month-to-month changes on the breadth of improvement. We see monthly that after a poor performance in April with most reporting categories worsening, May and June show most of them improving month-to-month on the order of 70% to 100%. Similar metrics for three-month and six-month changes perform much worse. These calculations are executed on changes in averages the twelve-month and average six-month and average 3-month data. On those comparisons, we see average diffusion is up broadly over 12 months compared to 12-months earlier. But the averages over six months and over three months are showing declines across all categories.

While the monthly data are showing some month-to-month improvement, the broader data show that the pace of improvement linked to broad averages is still not in place. And it is still a nefarious since of ‘improvement’ for the overall readings in which the diffusion data are only signaling that the categories are getting worse at a slower pace. Japan continues to struggle with weakness as the Bank of Japan wrestles with inflation and the United States and Japan spar over tariffs.

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Japan

Japan’s Economy Watchers Reading Is Increasingly Narrow Range

Tian Yong Woon

This week, we look at the latest US trade developments and their implications for Asia, as President Trump unveiled new tariff rates on 14 countries (chart 1). Though some rates were lower and implementation delayed to August 1, the move signals the US tariff pause is ending and deepens investor uncertainty in Asia. Market sentiment has weakened, reflecting both renewed policy risks and stalled trade negotiations in the region (chart 2). 

Vietnam stands out as a rare exception, having secured a deal with the US that reduced its tariff rate from 46% to 20%. However, the agreement includes a 40% tariff on “transshipments,” aimed at curbing indirect exports from third countries, such as China. In return, the US has gained tariff-free access to Vietnamese markets—an offsetting benefit for American firms. Nonetheless, the 20% rate remains high and could raise costs for US consumers if passed through supply chains (chart 3). Japan, by contrast, faces a more delicate balancing act. A 25% tariff was confirmed, while pressure persists over access for US agricultural exports—particularly rice (chart 4). Domestic sensitivities remain elevated amid a rice shortage and looming upper house elections, limiting Tokyo’s room to manoeuvre. 

Regional central banks are responding cautiously. The Reserve Bank of Australia held rates steady, defying expectations of a cut and citing a need for more information (chart 5). Rate decisions from South Korea, New Zealand, and Malaysia are due this week, with South Korea’s central bank seen likely to hold, amid rising home prices and mortgage growth (chart 6).

**Latest US tariff developments**
As previously signalled, US President Trump on Monday unveiled a new round of tariff rates targeting 14 countries, confirming initial fears that the US would move forward with reciprocal tariffs following its 90-day pause. While investor concerns—renewed late last week—have begun to materialize, there are two modest sources of relief. First, as shown in chart 1, many of the newly announced US tariff rates are actually lower than those initially unveiled on “Liberation Day,” April 2. Second, President Trump has delayed the effective date of the tariffs to August 1, offering a temporary window for countries that have not yet done so to negotiate trade deals with the US. However, while the extension allows more time for dialogue, it does not constitute a formal delay in implementation—at least for now. That said, progress in trade negotiations with the US remains limited across most Asian economies. In some cases, such as Japan, talks may have even come to an impasse—this will be explored further in subsequent sections. Vietnam, however, stands out as an exception, having secured a trade agreement with the US late last week; this development will also be discussed in more detail later on.

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Understandably, the earlier sense of relief—when tariffs appeared to have been delayed—has faded, giving way to renewed uncertainty. As this shift in sentiment takes hold, equity performance across advanced Asia has weakened slightly in recent days, as shown in chart 2. This likely reflects not only rising investor caution but also the lack of substantial progress in trade talks with the US, which contributed to the unveiling of tariff rates on Monday—unlike the more favourable treatment seen in Vietnam’s case. Looking ahead, investors focused on Asia will turn their attention to several country-specific trade discussions with the US for further cues. Growth and inflation outlooks are also likely to be revised, as not only first-round but also second- and subsequent-round effects of the tariffs are increasingly factored in. Another noteworthy development is US Treasury Secretary Bessent’s recent statement that around 100 economies and territories will now face a baseline tariff of 10%. If accurate—and if the 10% rate holds as the minimum—it suggests that many of the roughly 20 or more economies originally assigned that baseline rate have now been excluded. In effect, their relative trade position has worsened. In the Asia-Pacific region, key economies to watch in this context include Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. 

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**Vietnam**
While trade deals with the US have been few and far between since the beginning of the tariff pause, Vietnam has stood out following the announcement of a new trade agreement with the US late last week. Originally facing a reciprocal tariff rate of 46%, Vietnam has reached a deal to reduce that rate to 20%. However, the agreement also includes a 40% tariff on so-called “transshipments”—a measure aimed at addressing US concerns that goods may be routed through Vietnam from other economies, possibly China, to circumvent higher tariffs or trade restrictions. In return, the US has secured tariff-free access to Vietnamese markets. While the 20% rate is a significant improvement over the initially proposed 46%, it remains relatively high—especially compared to the 10% reprieve level. This will likely translate into higher costs for American consumers unless the increase is absorbed by producers or suppliers. On the positive side, tariff-free access to Vietnam offers some offset, particularly for US input goods sent to Vietnam for further processing, which would avoid additional tariffs on that leg of trade. That said, there is still uncertainty around how the “transshipment” clause will be defined and enforced in practice. Given Vietnam’s role as a major supplier of electronics—including smartphones—to the US (chart 3), the increase from the 10% pause rate to 20% is significant. If the added costs are passed through the supply chain, it could lead to a noticeable impact on US consumer prices.

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**Japan**
Turning to Japan, the country is delicately balancing two competing pressures: minimising the economic fallout of renewed US tariffs while resisting trade concessions that could be seen as damaging to its domestic interests. A key sticking point is Washington’s push for greater access to Japan’s agricultural market—particularly for US rice. President Trump has criticized Japan as “spoiled” for resisting such demands and previously threatened tariffs of 30–35%. On Monday, however, a 25% tariff on Japanese goods was announced—slightly above the 24% rate first unveiled on “Liberation Day,” April 2. Meeting US demands would carry significant political risks for the Japanese government. Any perceived concession on rice would likely spark backlash from Japanese farmers, a core constituency of Prime Minister Ishiba’s political base. The issue is especially sensitive with upper house elections on the horizon. Complicating matters further, Japan is currently facing a domestic rice shortage that has been driving up prices. Given rice’s central role in the Japanese diet, the shortage is a growing cost-of-living concern. In response, Japan has already ramped up rice imports, as shown in chart 4, including by moving forward a tariff-free tender—originally scheduled for September—for 30,000 tons from the US, Australia, and Thailand. However, compared to Japan’s overall consumption needs, this added supply is little more than a drop in the bucket.

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**Central bank decisions this week**
This week’s renewed US trade uncertainty threatens to complicate a busy calendar of central bank decisions across the region. First among the major announcements was the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), which defied consensus expectations by leaving its policy rate unchanged, rather than delivering the widely anticipated 25 bps cut. While the RBA acknowledged significantly cooled inflation—as shown in chart 5—it also pointed to a still-tight labour market and market sentiment suggesting that the most extreme US trade scenarios are likely to be avoided. Citing the need for more information before considering its next steps, the RBA opted to maintain its policy rate at 3.85% following its July meeting. Other key central banks set to announce decisions this week include those of New Zealand, South Korea, and Malaysia—the latter two of which are facing 25% US tariffs starting August 1, absent a trade agreement, as announced by President Trump on Monday.

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Lastly, turning to South Korea, the central bank (BoK) has already lowered rates four times since beginning its easing cycle last October and maintained a dovish tone at its most recent meeting in response to weakening growth momentum. However, the BoK is widely expected to hold rates steady this week. It is aiming to strike a balance between supporting growth—particularly with the potential reinstatement of US tariffs looming—and avoiding overheating in segments of the domestic economy. In particular, the BoK remains concerned about the property market, where housing prices have resumed their upward trend, and the household loan sector—especially mortgage lending—where loan growth has once again accelerated, as shown in chart 6.

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Asia

Economic Letter from Asia: The Final Countdown?

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The Industrial Materials Price Index from the Foundation for International Business and Economic Research (FIBER) jumped 2.3% (0.2% y/y) during the four weeks ended July 4, 2025. The improvement followed declines since early spring.

Prices in the Metals group surged 4.0% (-2.3% y/y) over the most recent four weeks. Price strength was broad-based. Tin prices jumped 7.9% (2.2% y/y) while aluminum costs surged 5.6% (4.2% y/y). Copper scrap prices rose 3.8% (5.0% y/y) in four weeks as lead prices surged 3.4% in four weeks (-7.4% y/y). The cost zinc rose 3.0% (-6.0% y/y) and steel scrap rose 1.4% (-11.4% y/) in four weeks.

Crude Oil & Benzene group prices moved 3.1% higher (-15.7% y/y) in the latest four week period. The cost of West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 5.2% higher to $65.86 per barrel and remained 20.6% lower y/y. It fell to a low of $58.50 per barrel in the second week of May. The cost of the petrol-chemical benzene, used for making plastics & synthetic fibers, strengthened 6.0% (-35.3% y/y). Excluding crude oil, the industrial commodity price index rose 2.1% (1.6% y/y) during the last four weeks.

Miscellaneous group prices increased 1.5% (9.8% y/y) in the latest period. The price of tallow (used in the soap industry) rose 5.9% (15.7% y/y) in four weeks. Framing lumber prices gained 4.3% (38.3% y/y) while natural rubber prices improved 0.3% (12.5% y/y) in four weeks.


Prices in the Textile group edged 0.8% higher (1.7% y/y) during the last four weeks. Cotton prices rose 4.4% and also 4.4% y/y. Burlap costs rose 1.3% in four weeks and 10.1% y/y.

The Foundation for International Business and Economic Research (FIBER) develops economic measurement techniques as applied to business cycles and inflation in the U.S. and other market economies. The commodity price data can be found in Haver's **DAILY**, **WEEKLY**, **USECON** and **CMDTY** databases.

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- Prices increase broadly after earlier declines.
- Metals prices lead upturn.
- Textile price rise but rubber prices are little changed.

FIBER: Industrial Commodity Prices Surge in Latest Four Weeks

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German industrial production rose by a sharp 1.2% in May but only after a 1.6% plunge in April which followed a 2.3% surge in March. This has been an unusually turbulent period for industrial production. However, on balance, German IP shows acceleration (from 12-months to 6-months to 3-months) for headline IP, for consumer goods output, for capital goods output, as well as for manufacturing overall and for real manufacturing orders.

**Data trends**
This collected pattern of accelerating trends is exceptionally good news and tends to push the volatility in output into the background. Typically, volatility tends to reduce the meaning of any trend since depending on where you are in a volatility, up-vs-down pattern, the trend will be not just exaggerated but even switched in direction. However, with not just growth but acceleration in play and with accelerating trends in play for so many categories- including real orders- the uptrend appears to be solidly established even in the face of volatility. And the chart seems to confirm that (drawn on year-over-year sector trends).

**Knowledge beyond data**
In addition, we know that there are other conditions stirring in Europe that give us cause to think that output solidifying is a real event not just the luck of the draw on one month’s volatility. The shift is to get NATO countries to pay for more of their own defense and to pay more period. At the recent NATO meeting, member countries pledged to spend 5% of GDP on defense that should help to light a fire of demand across Europe. At the same time, the good news is that inflation headlines in the EMU and across major member countries are mostly on target while core inflation remains stubborn at an elevated pace near 2.5%, mostly across the EMU.

**Quarter-to-date (QTD)**
The volatility leaves German IP growing at less than a 1% annual rate in Q2 over the Q1 average (quarter-to-date, or QTD)– a far less portent reading than the three-month rate of 7.7% (saar). But manufacturing, unimpeded by the weakness in construction, shows a QTD annual rate rise of 2.9%. Real manufacturing orders are advancing at a 16.4% annual rate in the quarter while real sales are declining.

Surveys show improvements over three months compared to six-months, but all of them also show some slippage over six months compared to 12-months. Yet, all of the three-month averages are above the 12-month averages. Survey data generally show momentum is turning higher, but not markedly.

**Queue standings – longer term comparisons**
The queue standing data compare current growth rates (Y/Y) or (in the case of surveys) levels to past performance. Total IP, consumer goods, capital goods, manufacturing output, and real orders all have May readings above their historic median growth rates/or levels (rankings over 50%). But construction and intermediate goods sectors lag badly. Real sales are weak, and the surveys all show weak signal compared to all levels since January 2000. This tells us that the momentum in German industry (12-month growth) is solid and strong, but that the level of activity is weak – and quite weak- compared to past performance. This is also clear from the far-right column that measures current output relative to output in January 2020, just before Covid. These are aggregate changes. Germany’s output is still 1.7% lower in May 2025 than it was in January 2020 – nearly five- and one-half years down the road. This has been a very weak period for Germany. Only capital goods output among sectors is higher, rising by 4.9% over a period of five-plus years and making most of that in the last 12 months. The surveys show conditions have weakened on balance over this period as well.

**Some other Europe**
Portugal and Norway give us a look at two other European economies. Both show growth in May as well as QTD. Norway is supercharged with the strong oil market in play as a tailwind. Its queue standing for growth has a 99-percentile reading. Both Portugal and Norway are stronger relative to January 2020; Portugal by 11.8% and Norway by 8.3%.

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**Summing up**
The production situation in the EMU and in Germany appears to be solidifying. However, supply needs demand. Retail sales in May fell in the EMU for the first time since December. German retail sales volume has been up by 2% or more by months in its year-over-year growth rates since May 2024… until this month. The 1.6% rise in real German retail sales (ex-autos) in May 2025 is the weakest rise since German retail sales fell year-over-year in May 2024. Six of ten early reporting countries in Europe show real retail sales drops in May as well. So, just as one series begins to look solid another begins to raise question marks. It has been like that for a while in Europe.

Germany

German IP Is Making Progress Across Most Sectors

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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. Employment Growth Firms in June, While Earnings Growth & Jobless Rate Decline

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The U.S. Treasury Department reported a U.S. government budget surplus of $27.0 billion during June, which compared to a deficit of $71.0 billion twelve months earlier. The Action Economics Forecast Survey expected a $43.5 deficit. During the first nine months of the current fiscal year, the government ran a budget deficit of $1.337 trillion versus a deficit of $1.273 trillion in the first nine months of FY’24.

Overall revenues in the first nine months of FY’25 increased 6.8% y/y compared to a 10.0% y/y rise in the first nine months of last year. Customs duties surged 94.3% y/y in the first nine months of FY’25 after an 8.0% y/y decline last fiscal year. Individual income tax receipts rose 9.2% y/y compared to last year’s 11.3% y/y gain. The level of corporate tax receipts fell 6.7% y/y so far this year after a 28.4% y/y rise in the first nine months of FY’24. Social insurance revenues increased 3.1% y/y after a 5.2% y/y rise in the first nine months of FY’24, while excise taxes rose 17.3% y/y so far in FY’25 compared to an 8.1% gain in the first nine months of last fiscal year.

Federal government outlays grew 6.3% y/y so far in FY’25 versus a 4.6% y/y rise in the first nine months of FY’24. Defense spending rose 6.0% y/y after a 5.5% y/y rise in the first nine months of last fiscal year. Social Security outlays rose 8.4% y/y in the first nine months of FY’25 versus an 8.2% increase last fiscal year. Interest payments rose 9.7% y/y so far in FY’25 after a 38.1% rise in the first nine months of last fiscal year. Health program spending rose 6.7% y/y after falling 0.5% in the first nine months of FY’24 while Medicare payments surged 15.0% y/y versus a 1.0% y/y decline last year. Income security outlays rose 9.2% y/y in the first nine months of this year compared to an 18.5% y/y decline last year.

Haver's data on Federal Government receipts & outlays are contained in **USECON**. The expectations figure is in the **AS1REPNA** database.

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- Federal receipts strengthen while outlays decline.
- Customs duties increase but interest payments slow.
- Year-to-date deficit increases.

U.S. Federal Government Posts Budget Surplus in June

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