Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the slowdown in U.S. job growth in May due to uncertainties surrounding tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, while stable wage growth may keep the economy on track and potentially delay interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve [1][4]. Employment Data Analysis - The U.S. added 139,000 jobs in May, exceeding market expectations of 125,000 [4] - The healthcare sector contributed 62,000 new jobs, and the leisure and hospitality industry added 48,000, accounting for nearly 80% of the new positions [4] - The unemployment rate remained stable at 4.2% for the third consecutive month, with 625,000 people leaving the labor force, indicating a lack of confidence in the job market [4][5] - Hourly wages increased by 0.4%, surpassing market predictions, with a year-on-year growth rate of 3.9%, slightly above the Fed's sustainable inflation target of 3.7% [4] - The average monthly job growth over the past three months has slowed to 135,000 from 232,000 in January [4] Labor Market Concerns - There are signs of pressure from the trade war, with 7.24 million people reported as unemployed, the highest level since the U.S. emerged from the pandemic in 2021 [5] - The labor force participation rate dropped from 62.6% in April to 62.4%, primarily affecting the prime working-age population [5] - The employment-population ratio fell from 60.0% in April to 59.7%, indicating a decline in the economy's job creation capacity [5] - Experts suggest that the decline in labor participation may mask marginal deterioration in employment and the labor market [6] Federal Reserve and Economic Policy - Following the employment data release, President Trump pressured the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by 100 basis points, criticizing the current monetary policy as a "disaster" [7] - The Fed's current benchmark interest rate is between 4.25% and 4.5%, described as "moderately restrictive" [7] - There is ongoing debate on whether tariff-induced inflation is transitory or persistent, with some Fed officials believing it to be a one-time price level increase [7][8] - Market expectations indicate potential rate cuts by the Fed in September and December, with the next FOMC meeting scheduled for June 17-18 [8]

Group 1 - The Federal Reserve maintained the federal funds rate target range at 4.25% to 4.5%, marking the third consecutive pause in rate cuts since the initiation of the easing cycle in September last year [2][3] - The Fed emphasized rising risks of high unemployment and inflation, indicating a cautious approach to future monetary policy adjustments [3][4] - The uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook has increased due to tariff policies, which have led to concerns about inflation and economic slowdown [3][5] Group 2 - The first quarter GDP growth rate for the U.S. was reported at -0.3%, the lowest since Q2 2022, primarily affected by a significant increase in imports and a decrease in government spending [6][7] - The trade deficit reached a historical high of $162 billion in March, with imports rising by 5% to $342.7 billion, marking the fourth consecutive month of record imports [6][7] - Despite the economic slowdown, the labor market remains strong, with non-farm payrolls increasing by 177,000 in April, surpassing expectations [8] Group 3 - The Fed is expected to maintain a wait-and-see approach, with no immediate rate cuts anticipated before the expiration of the 90-day tariff suspension on July 8 [4][9] - The potential for a recession remains, but the labor market's resilience may keep the unemployment rate near neutral targets, focusing Fed policy on inflation [10] - Market attention is on the progress of trade negotiations, which could influence future monetary policy decisions [10][11] Group 4 - The uncertainty from tariff policies has led to increased volatility in the stock market, with major indices experiencing declines year-to-date [11] - The bond market has faced pressure due to concerns over rising inflation and fiscal policy uncertainties, although yields have recently shown signs of retreat [11][12] - Gold investment demand has surged amid global trade tensions and economic recession fears, with a long-term bullish outlook despite potential short-term adjustments [12]

Core Viewpoint - The Federal Reserve's patience in the face of economic uncertainty in the U.S. may be the correct approach, as recent comments from Chairman Powell indicate a cautious stance due to inflation and economic challenges posed by tariffs [1] Group 1: Economic Uncertainty - High inflation and declining economic growth potential are significant concerns, with the Fed facing a dilemma due to Trump's tariff policies [1][2] - The expectation is that the Fed may not lower interest rates significantly this year, with a potential trigger for action being a rise in unemployment above 4.5% [2] Group 2: Economic Growth Potential - The U.S. economy is experiencing a structural decline in growth potential, exacerbated by rising import prices and a decrease in labor supply due to higher deportation rates [4] - Despite a projected slowdown in GDP growth, the unemployment rate remains relatively stable at 4.2%, indicating that economic weakness may not lead to sufficient labor market softness to warrant monetary policy support [4] Group 3: Inflation Concerns - The market is beginning to accept that inflation may exceed the Fed's 2% target for a fifth consecutive year, posing a threat to the Fed's credibility [5] - Short-term inflation expectations have risen significantly, although this is not corroborated by other inflation indicators [5] Group 4: Political Pressures - Trump's attacks on the Fed's independence may influence its decision-making, as the Fed aims to maintain its credibility and avoid perceptions of political pressure [6]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In July, the U.S. non-farm payrolls increased by 114,000, marking the lowest growth since December 2020, significantly below the expected 175,000 and down from the previous value of 206,000 [2][6] - The unemployment rate surged to 4.3%, exceeding expectations and the previous rate of 4.1%, triggering the Sam Rule which indicates a high probability of recession [2][3][5] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The increase in unemployment was primarily driven by a rise in temporary layoffs, with temporary job losses increasing by 249,000 to 1.1 million, while the number of permanent job losers remained relatively stable at 1.7 million [7][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The market reacted negatively to the employment data, with expectations shifting towards a hard landing for the economy, contrasting previous assumptions of a soft landing [2][10] - The Russell 2000 index, representing small-cap stocks, experienced a decline greater than the broader market, indicating a sell-off in small-cap stocks due to their weaker risk and cyclical resilience [16][17] Company Strategy and Development Direction and Industry Competition - The market is increasingly favoring "defensive" stocks, such as consumer staples and utilities, which are considered essential regardless of economic conditions, as investors seek safety amid economic uncertainty [15][16] - The potential for a recession has led to a shift in market sentiment, with expectations for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates more aggressively than previously anticipated [19][20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management indicated that the July employment data might reflect a one-time factor due to the impact of Hurricane Barry, which caused temporary layoffs in affected regions [9][10] - There is speculation that the unemployment rate could revert to 4.1% in August, as the July data may not be indicative of a long-term trend [10][12] Other Important Information - The Sam Rule, which suggests that a 0.5 percentage point increase in the three-month average unemployment rate compared to the previous year's low indicates a recession, has been triggered by the recent data [5][6] - The market is pricing in the possibility of a 50 basis point rate cut by the Federal Reserve in the near future, reflecting heightened economic concerns [19][20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Is the July employment data a sign of a recession? - The July employment data, while concerning, may not definitively indicate a recession, but it does increase the probability of one occurring [12] Question: What factors contributed to the rise in unemployment? - The rise in unemployment was largely due to temporary layoffs, influenced by external factors such as Hurricane Barry, which affected many businesses [9][10] Question: How is the market responding to the economic outlook? - The market is shifting towards defensive stocks and pricing in potential interest rate cuts as investors react to the increased likelihood of a recession [15][19]