The final reading for the UK PMI manufacturing index was revised slightly higher to 45.3 for July compared with the flash reading of 45.0, but still the weakest reading for seven months and the sector overall has been in contraction since September 2022. Sterling overall was unable to make any headway, especially with a slightly less confident tone surrounding risk appetite. UK yields edged lower and there was also further position adjustment ahead of Thursday’s Bank of England policy meeting with some covering of long Sterling positions.
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The final Euro-Zone PMI manufacturing index was unchanged from the flash reading at 42.7 with the Spanish and Italian sectors both firmly in contraction territory. There was a 4,000 decline in German unemployment for July compared with expectations of an increase close to 20,000 which provided an element of relief after negative business surveys. The German data was unable to provide significant Euro support and the currency continued to lose ground as the US dollar made headway.
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The US ISM manufacturing index edged higher to 46.4 for July from 46.0 previously, but slightly below consensus forecasts of 46.8. New orders and production remained in contraction territory for the month, although the rate of decline eased slightly with a similar situation for unfilled orders. Employment declined at a faster rate on the month while prices continued to decline, although there was a slightly slower rate of decline compared with June.
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13.15 ADP Employment Change (Jul) Exp. 189K Prev. 497K