The week began with key sentiment data from the S&P Global Manufacturing and Services Purchasing Managers’ Indices (PMIs). Both readings came in slightly below market expectations and last month’s figures, suggesting some softening in forward-looking sentiment. However, with Manufacturing at 52.0 and Services at 53.9, both remain above the 50 threshold, signaling continued expansion in economic activity rather than contraction.
FOMC Decision and Inflation Outlook, Retail Sales and Industrial Production, Housing Market Weakness, and more.
Overall, the data suggests the economy is entering a more balanced phase. Inflation appears to be stabilizing, with price pressures no longer accelerating, while signs of labor market softening are beginning to emerge.
Last week began with a focus on the housing market, where housing starts for July exceeded expectations, reaching 1.428 million new construction starts.