Market Pulse - Currencies
China slips into deflation in July
The cost of living in the People's Republic of China fell by a tad less than expected last month.
Central bank may be at point where rates do not need to rise further, Fed's Harker says
The U. S. central bank may have reached a point at which it no longer needs to hike interest rates further - maybe - a top official said.
US foreign trade deficit falls in July as imports shrink
America's shortfall on trade with the rest of the world narrowed in June as imports fell.
US small business confidence improves by a bit more than expected in July, NFIB
Small business confidence in the States improved slightly last month, the results of a closely followed survey revealed.
US job cut announcements fall again in July, Challenger says
Layoff announcements in the States continued falling back in July, rising by less than during the same month one year before for the first time since 2023, a prestigious consultancy said.
Weekly US jobless claims edge up
Jobless claims in the U. S. rose slightly during over the preceding week but continued to point to a tight jobs market.
US productivity grows quicker than expected in Q2, limiting labour cost increases
Faster-than-expected labour productivity in the U. S. over the three months to June, helped limit labour cost pressures.
Fitch cuts U.S. government debt rating from AAA to AA+
Fitch went ahead and downgraded the U. S. government's credit rating overnight, becoming the second agency to do so.
US manufacturing continued to shrink in July, ISM says
Factory sector activity in the U. S. continued to shrink last month, the results of a closely followed survey showed.