Eurozone goods exports fell -6.3% yoy to EUR 236.7B in June. Goods imports fall -8.6% yoy to EUR 214.3B. Trade balance showed a EUR 22.3B surplus. Intra-Eurozone trade fell -8.5% yoy to EUR 214.5B.
In seasonally adjusted term, goods exports fell -0.2% mom to EUR 236.2B. Goods imports fell -2.4% mom to EUR 218.7B. Trade surplus widened from EUR 12.4B in the prior month to EUR 17.5B, larger than expectation of EUR 14.5B. Intra-Eurozone trade rose 0.4% mom to EUR 210.7B.
UK retail sales volumes rose by 0.5% mom in July, slightly below market expectations of 0.6% increase. On a broader scale, sales volumes in the three months leading up to July saw a 1.1% rise compared to the previous three months ending in April.
Breaking down the data, non-food stores—which include department, clothing, household, and other non-food stores—saw a notable 1.4% increase in sales volumes. Non-store retail sales, which encompass online and other forms of retail not conducted in physical stores, rose by 0.7%, driven primarily by a rebound in retailers other than mail order services. However, the overall growth was tempered by a -1.9% decline in automotive fuel sales volumes.
In her remarks to the House of Representatives’ economics committee, RBA Governor Michele Bullock emphasized the careful balancing act in managing inflation while minimizing harm to the labor market. Bullock reiterated that the Board believes current monetary policy is “sufficiently restrictive” to bring inflation down over a reasonable timeframe without causing undue damage to employment.
Despite financial markets anticipating a rate cut by the end of the year, Bullock was clear in her message that it is “premature to be thinking about rate cuts” at this stage. She pointed out that inflation remains too high and, in underlying terms, is not expected to fall back within the target range until the end of next year.
While acknowledging that economic circumstances could change, Bullock firmly stated that, based on the current outlook, the Board “does not expect that it will be in a position to cut rates in the near term.”
In a speech today, RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr expressed a “very strong level of confidence” that forward indicators are pointing to a return to low and stable inflation, within the target range of 1% to 3%. Orr emphasized the importance of keeping inflation expectations and pricing intentions “anchored” as the central bank continues to monitor economic conditions.
Assistant Governor Karen Silk, speaking in a separate interview, noted that RBNZ is observing a continued decline in price and wage-setting behaviors. Silk mentioned that if this adjustment occurs more rapidly than anticipated, it could open the door for the central bank to consider a different, potentially faster path for rate cuts.
Earlier this week, RBNZ lowered the OCR by 25 bps to 5.25% and projected that it would fall below 4% by the end of 2025. Silk reiterated that RBNZ is taking a “measured approach” to policy loosening and remains committed to a data-dependent strategy.
New Zealand’s manufacturing sector showed a slight improvement in July, with the BusinessNZ Performance of Manufacturing Index rising from 41.2 to 44.0. Despite this rebound, the sector remains deeply entrenched in contraction, marking its 17th consecutive month below the expansion threshold. The current level is still significantly below the long-term average of 52.6.
Breaking down the data, production saw an uptick, increasing from 35.7 to 43.4, while new orders also rose, moving from 39.0 to 42.5. However, employment in the sector continued to decline, slipping from 44.0 to 43.1. Finished stocks decreased from 47.7 to 46.5, and deliveries fell slightly from 44.8 to 44.3.
Despite the relative improvement in activity, the proportion of negative comments from respondents remained high, though it eased slightly to 71.1% in July from 76.3% in June. Businesses cited ongoing issues such as a lack of orders, customers, and sales, which have been persistent concerns in recent months.
BNZ’s Senior Economist Doug Steel commented that “manufacturing activity will turn when the broader economy turns.” He added that easing monetary conditions, including a lower OCR, could help stimulate a general pick-up in sales, but emphasized that this recovery would take time.
St. Louis Fed President Alberto Musalem indicated today that the balance of risks between inflation and unemployment has shifted, becoming “more balanced”. Speaking at an event, Musalem expressed increased confidence in the inflation outlook, noting that recent data has reinforced this view. He highlighted that the labor market is “no longer overheated,” although services and shelter inflation remain “a little sticky.”
Musalem suggested that, barring any further economic shocks, inflation appears to be returning to a path consistent with Fed’s 2% target over time. He also hinted that “the time may be nearing” for Fed to consider adjusting its policy stance to a moderately restrictive level.
US initial jobless claims fell -7k to 227k in the week ending August 10, lower than expectation of 239k. Four-week moving average of initial claims fell -4.5k to 236.5k.
Continuing claims fell -7k to 1864k in the week ending August 3. Four-week moving average of continuing claims rose 1k to 1862k, highest since November 27, 2021.
US retail sales rose 1.0% mom to USD 709.7B in July, above expectation of 0.3% mom. Ex-auto sales rose 0.4% mom to USD 576.1B, above expectation of 0.1% mom. Ex-gasoline sales rose 1.0% mom to USD 657.1B. Ex-auto& gasoline sales rose 0.4% mom to USD 523.4B.
Total sales for the May through July period rose 2.4% from the same period a year ago.
UK GDP showed no growth in June, matched expectations. Services output fell by -0.1% mom after five consecutive monthly increases. Production grew by 0.8% mom. Construction grew by 0.5% mom.
For Q2, GDP grew 0.6% qoq, matched expectations. Services grew by 0.8% qoq. Production fell -0.1% qoq. Construction also fell -0.1% qoq.
China’s economic data for July revealed a mixed picture, with industrial production growth continuing to decelerate while retail sales showed unexpected strength. Industrial production rose by 5.1% yoy, down from 5.3% in June and missing the expected 5.2%. This also marks the third consecutive month of slowing growth.
On a more positive note, retail sales increased by 2.7% yoy, accelerating from the previous month’s 2.0% and exceeding expectations of 2.6%.
However, fixed asset investment growth also disappointed, rising by 3.6% year-to-date compared to the same period last year, below the anticipated 3.9%.
Australia’s labor market showed robust growth in July, with employment rising by 58.2k, significantly surpassing expectations of 26.5k. This increase was driven by a strong gain in full-time employment, which rose by 60.5k, while part-time employment saw a slight decline of -2.3k.
Unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% to 4.2%, slightly higher than the expected 4.1% and marking the highest level since November 2021. This increase in the unemployment rate comes alongside a rise in the participation rate, which climbed from 66.9% to a record high of 67.1%. Additionally, the employment-to-population ratio edged up by 0.1% to 64.3%, just shy of the historical high of 64.4% set in November of last year. Monthly hours worked also increased by 0.4% mom.
Kate Lamb, ABS head of labour statistics, noted that while the unemployment rate has increased by 0.1 percentage point in each of the past two months, the record high participation rate and near-record employment-to-population ratio indicate that “there continues to be a high number of people in jobs, and looking for and finding jobs.”
Japan’s economy showed stronger-than-expected growth in Q2, with real GDP rising by 0.8% qoq, surpassing the anticipated 0.6% qoq increase. On an annualized basis, GDP surged by 3.1%, well above the expected 2.1%. This marks a significant rebound after the sharp contraction experienced in Q1, and it is the first increase in two quarters.
The recovery was largely driven by a notable rise in private consumption, which increased by 1.0%. This is particularly significant as it follows four consecutive quarters of decline, a losing streak not seen since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Additionally, capital spending grew by 0.9%, marking its first gain in two quarters.
On a nominal basis, GDP increased by 1.8% in Q2, translating to an annualized rate of 7.4%. This growth pushed Japan’s GDP above JPY 600T for the first time, a milestone attributed to the ongoing inflationary pressures driven by a weakening yen.
RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr outlined the central bank’s approach to its recent monetary policy shift in an interview with Bloomberg TV today. Following the unexpected rate cut that initiated the easing cycle yesterday, Orr emphasized that RBNZ intends to lower interest rates toward a more neutral setting at a “careful and measured pace.” This strategy is aimed at ensuring that inflation expectations remain firmly anchored at the 2% target, which Orr stated is the central bank’s “single focus.”
Orr expressed confidence in the central bank’s course of action, noting that key indicators of inflation pressures are moving in the right direction. RBNZ has been closely monitoring “price-setting behavior,” “inflation expectations,” and “domestic homegrown inflation components.” According to Orr, all these factors are now aligned with the goal of restoring “low and stable inflation” over the next couple of years.
Furthermore, Orr highlighted that various economic indicators are pointing toward a positive outlook for growth. “We see positive economic growth coming and we can be easing interest rates,” he said, expressing optimism that New Zealand could achieve “growth without the inflation.”
US CPI rose 0.2% mom in July, matched expectations. CPI core (all items less food and energy) rose 0.2% mom, matched expectations. Energy prices were unchanged over the month while food prices increased 0.2% mom.
For the 12-month period, CPI slowed from 3.0% yoy to 2.9% yoy, below expectation of 3.0% yoy. Headline CPI reading was the lowest since March 2021. CPI core slowed from 3.3% yoy to 3.2% yoy, matched expectations. CPI core reading was the lowest since April 2021. Energy prices rose 1.1% yoy while food prices rose 2.2% yoy.
Eurozone industrial production fell -0.1% mom in June, much worse than expectation of 0.4% mom rise. Industrial production increased by 0.7% for intermediate goods, 1.9% for energy, 0.9% for capital goods, and 3.8% for durable consumer goods. Production decreased by -2.5% for non-durable consumer goods.
EU industrial production fell -0.1% mom. Among Member States for which data are available, the largest monthly decreases were recorded in Ireland (-7.8%), Belgium (-6.5%), Croatia and Portugal (both -3.7%). The highest increases were observed in Romania (+4.0%), Finland (+3.6%) and Slovakia (+2.1%).
UK CPI rose from 2.0% yoy to 2.2% yoy in July, below expectation of 2.3% yoy. Core CPI (excluding energy, food, alcohol and tobacco) slowed from 3.5% yoy to 3.3% yoy, below expectation of 3.4% yoy. Core CPI reading was the lowest since September 2021.
CPI goods annual rate rose from -1.4% yoy to negative 0.6% yoy. CPI services annual rate fell from 5.7% yoy to 5.2% yoy.
On a monthly basis, CPI fell by -0.2% mom.
NZD/USD fell notably after RBNZ’s surprised rate cut but loss is so far limited. Some consolidations would be seen below 0.6083 temporary top first. But further rally would remain in favor as long as 0.5976 support holds. Above 0.6083 will resume the rise from 0.5849 towards falling trend line resistance (now at around 0.6165).
Overall, NZD/USD is seen as trading in converging range since hitting 0.5511 (2022 low) and rebounding to 0.6537 (2023 high). Outlook will be neutral until break at least a breakout from 0.5851/6221 range.
In an unexpected move, RBNZ lowered its Official Cash Rate by 25bps to 5.25% today, catching markets off guard. The central bank also unveiled new economic projections, which indicate the possibility of another rate cut later this year, followed by a total of 100bps in cuts throughout 2025.
RBNZ emphasized that the “pace of further easing” will hinge on confidence that pricing behavior remains aligned with a low-inflation environment and that inflation expectations stay anchored around the 2% target.
The minutes of the meeting reveal that “recent indicators give confidence that inflation will return sustainably to target within a reasonable time frame.” The Committee agreed that with headline CPI inflation expected to return to the target band by the September quarter and growing excess capacity supporting a continued decline in domestic inflation, there was room to “temper the extent of monetary policy restraint.”
The new economic projections suggest that OCR could drop further to 4.9% by Q4 2024, 3.8% by the end of 2025, and eventually reach 3.0% by mid-2027. Annual CPI inflation is forecasted to hover between 2.2% and 2.4% before settling at 2.0% by Q2 2026.
Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic emphasized a cautious approach regarding interest rate cuts, stating that he needs “a little more data” before supporting such a move. Bostic stressed the importance of ensuring that Fed doesn’t prematurely lower rates, saying, “We want to be absolutely sure.” He warned that it would be problematic if Fed cut rates and then had to reverse course by raising them again.
While Bostic acknowledged being encouraged by recent inflation readings, he reitereated that he might be ready to support a rate cut “by the end of the year.” However, he remains watchful of labor market dynamics, expressing concern over the rise in unemployment. Bostic clarified that this increase is largely due to a growing labor force rather than a decline in demand, which he considers a “good problem to have.”
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Fed’s Daly advocates for gradual rate cuts to avoid overtightening
San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly indicated in an interview with the Financial Times that the time has come to consider gradually lowering interest rates from their current levels. Daly emphasized the importance of a cautious approach, stating, “Gradualism is not weak, it’s not slow, it’s not behind, it’s just prudent.”
She explained that while Fed aims to reduce the “restrictiveness” of its policy, it intends to maintain a level of restraint necessary to “fully get the job done” on inflation. Daly underscored the Fed’s focus on avoiding the risk of “overtightening into a slowing economy.”