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of automotive products, which jumped 4.2 percent after having fallen in the previous two months. The
index for construction supplies Increased 0.4 percent in June but was down at an annual rate of 0.9 percent in the second quarter. Regarding
Retail Sales, the US. Census Bureau reported that advance estimates of US. retail and
food services sales for June, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading‐day differences, but not for price changes, were $363.8
billion, a decrease of 0.1 percent from the previous month, but up 5.9 percent
(±0.8%) from June 2005. Regarding
interest rates, the Fed has
raised its key lending rate, which currently stands at 5.25 percent, 17 consecutive times since June 2004 in a fairly predictable manner. The central bank's next move is a matter of widespread uncertainty on Wall Street, as Chairman Ben Bernanke and other Fed policymakers have said any hike or pause will depend on the most recent economic data. During the second quarter,
businesses remained cautious about hiring when near‐term economic prospects appear soft. They remain fundamentally worried about the expense of new hiring (in terms of wages, as well as health and pension benefits) relative to pricing power. The PMI indicates that the
manufacturing economy grew in June for the 37th Share with your friends: