Overview
- Industrial output rose 1.2 percent in June driven by a 6.6 percent gain in semiconductor production and a 4.2 percent increase in automobile output.
- Retail sales edged up 0.5 percent in June as stronger demand for clothing and cosmetics supported consumer spending.
- Facility investment contracted 3.7 percent in June for a fourth straight month, led by a sharp pullback in transportation equipment outlays.
- July exports increased 5.9 percent year-on-year to $60.82 billion, surpassing forecasts ahead of an August deadline for higher U.S. tariffs.
- Semiconductor shipments jumped 31.6 percent to $14.71 billion, marking an all-time July high, while automobile and ship exports rose 8.8 percent and 107.6 percent respectively under reduced tariff uncertainty.