US DATA: Flash PMIs Cool By Less Than Expected

Jun-23 14:06

The S&P Global US PMIs were stronger than expected in the flash June releases as they cooled only modestly after May's improvement. 

  • The manufacturing PMI held steady at 52.0 for a second month (cons 51.0) after 50.2 in both March and April whilst services dipped to 53.1 (cons 53.0) after 53.7 in May.
  • As noted beforehand, there has been a large disconnect with the ISM Services reading, which dropped 1.7pts to 49.9 back in May.
  • The press release notes “a little” loss of momentum although workloads are rising and firms are taking on staff to the greatest degree for a year. Manufacturing inflation metrics continued to accelerate for their fastest since Jul 2022 although service inflation metrics cooled a touch. The below is taken from the S&P Global US PMI press release (full report, here): 

PMI press release highlights: 

  • “US business activity continued to grow in June, though the overall rate of expansion lost a little momentum to remain well below those seen late last year.
  • Falling exports of goods and services acted as a drag on growth, in part offset by stock building by US companies, often linked to concerns over tariffs.
  • Tariffs were also widely blamed on higher prices. These rose at an especially sharp and increased rate in manufacturing, but also continued to rise steeply in services.
  • Companies meanwhile struggled to meet rising workloads, with backlogs of work increasing at the fastest rate for over three years and encouraging firms to take on additional staff to the greatest degree for a year. However, confidence in the outlook deteriorated slightly."

Further detail on prices: 

  • "Manufacturers’ input prices and selling prices both rose at rates not seen since July 2022, as higher costs were passed on to customers. Close to two-thirds of all manufacturers reporting higher input costs attributed these to tariffs, whilst just over half of respondents linked increased selling prices to tariffs.
  • However, prices also rose sharply in the service sector, likewise often attributed to tariffs but also reflecting higher financing, wage and fuel costs. Service sector input costs and selling prices nonetheless rose at slower rates than in May, in part reflecting more intense competition."
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Source: S&P Global

 

Historical bullets

JGB TECHS: (M5) Rallies off Lows

May-23 22:45
  • RES 3: 147.74 - High Jan 15 and bull trigger (cont)
  • RES 2: 146.53 - High Aug 6 
  • RES 1: 141.48/142.95 - High May 2 / High Apr 7
  • PRICE: 139.40 @ 15:42 GMT May 23
  • SUP 1: 138.54 - Low May 22
  • SUP 2: 136.57 - 1.382 proj of the Jan 28 - Feb 20 - Feb 26 bear leg   
  • SUP 3: 134.89 - 2.000 proj of the Jan 28 - Feb 20 - Feb 26 bear leg

JGBs have rallied off recent lows and for now, however a bearish theme remains intact following the reversal that started Apr 7. A continuation lower would signal scope for an extension towards 136.57, a Fibonacci projection. On the upside, a reversal higher would instead refocus attention on 142.95, the Apr 7 high. The first important resistance to watch is 141.48, the May 2 high. A break of this level would be viewed as an early bullish signal. 

US FISCAL: Total Tariff Income Jumping In May As New Rates Hit

May-23 20:54

Treasury reported a record $16.5B in customs/excise taxes on May 22, reflecting the large increase in tariff rates that went into effect in April.

  • Today's report is important because it represents the largest tariff collections of the month which are typically on a due date around the 22nd, when most corporate importers make their payments.
  • Thursday's one-day collection is a record, and the month has already set a new record. Tariff revenues have totaled $22.3B so far in May, and are came in at $17.4B in April (after averaging $8.1B/month in 2024).
  • For the fiscal year as a whole so far, customs duties have totaled just under $93B, per the Treasury Daily Statement.
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US FISCAL: Extraordinary Measures Continue To Dissipate Alongside Treasury Cash

May-23 20:35

Treasury's latest estimate of the size of "extraordinary measures" available to use "in order to prevent the United States from defaulting on its obligations as Congress deliberate[s] on increasing the debt limit" is down to $67B on May 21 (of an available $299B), vs $82B a week earlier. 

  • The amount hit the 2nd lowest level since the debt limit impasse started, at $46B, on May 20 (the low was $34B on Feb 24).
  • With $476B in cash in the Treasury General Account on May 21, that left the total resources available to Treasury at $543B, the least since April 14 - the day before the annual April 15 tax deadline.
  • Treasury Sec Bessent warned Congress earlier this month that "there is a reasonable probability that the federal government's cash and extraordinary measures will be exhausted in August while Congress is scheduled to be in recess. Therefore, I respectfully urge Congress to increase or suspend the debt limit by mid-July".
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