Updates – Macro Trend

Shares of UPS surged as demand for faster delivery powered a second quarter that beat Wall Street expectations.

New orders for key U.S. made capital goods surged in June, suggesting some improvement in business investment, but economic growth is still expected to have slowed sharply in the second quarter amid weaker exports and a smaller inventory build.

The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits increased moderately last week, pointing to still strong labor market conditions despite signs that economic activity was slowing.

After a great start to earnings season, overall profits are no longer expected to decline

Amazon said it sold more than 175 million items during this year’s Prime Day shopping event, more than its sales for the past Black Friday and Cyber Monday combined.

U.S. retail sales increased more than expected in June, pointing to strong consumer spending, which could help to blunt some of the drag on the economy from weak business investment.

The nation’s homebuilders should be ecstatic, given the supply of existing homes for sale and falling mortgage rates.

U.S. job growth rebounded strongly in June as government hiring surged, but persistent moderate wage gains and mounting evidence that the economy was losing momentum could still encourage the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates this month.

Major automakers on Tuesday posted mixed U.S. sales results for June and the second quarter, with demand still fairly strong for SUVs and pickup trucks while passenger car sales continued a long-running decline.

Manufacturing activity was surprisingly strong in June, according to a closely watched gauge leased Monday that also pointed to a rebound in hiring.