Dollar Climbs Most Since May as US-EU Strike Trade Deal

Consumer Spending & Economic Outlook - Consumer spending data for June is crucial, with expectations of a soft patch, already evident in retail sales data [1] - Service sector spending, including airlines, hotels, and restaurants, also shows signs of weakness [2] - Demand was pulled forward in anticipation of tariffs, and price increases are impacting consumer spending [3] - There's a bifurcation in consumer behavior, with higher-end consumers and businesses faring better than lower-end consumers who are squeezed by tariffs [5][6][7] Trade & Tariffs - American protectionism is damaging the global economy, potentially reaching a $2 trillion hit by the end of 2027 relative to the pre-trade war path [8][9] - The effective tariff rate is around 17%, the highest since the 1930s, acting as a headwind to global growth [10] - Tariffs are a regressive tax on consumers [7] Capital Spending & Tax Legislation - Tax legislation provides significant accelerated depreciation for capital spending, potentially boosting corporate cash flow [11] - Companies like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and United Rental have indicated that the tax legislation supports their cash flow [12] - Capital spending is underappreciated for its role in creating productivity, profitability, and lifting potential GDP growth [13] - Full CapEx depreciation for 80% of CapEx will be a significant boost to cash flow [11] Monetary Policy & Labor Market - The Fed may not need to cut rates further, as previous rate cuts and tax measures are already providing stimulus [23][24][25] - Improvement in corporate profits into 2026 is expected to lead to a stronger labor market [20] - Capital spending improves profitability through productivity, incentivizing spending on jobs and wages [17]