Market Overview - The UK market is experiencing positive momentum, with the benchmark FTSE 100 up 33.97 points or 0.36% at 9,331.55 [1] - Gains in the mining sector are attributed to higher metal prices, contributing to the overall market performance [1] Sector Performance - The mining sector shows solid gains, with companies like Beazley gaining about 3.2% and Glencore up nearly 3% [2] - Other companies such as Hiscox, Antofagasta, Fresnillo, and Anglo American Plc are also experiencing gains between 1.5% to 2.6% [2] Economic Data - The UK's real GDP showed no growth in July, following a 0.4% increase in June, with the services sector expanding by 0.1% and construction by 0.2% [3] - Industrial production fell by 0.9%, offsetting gains in other sectors [3] Yearly and Quarterly Trends - On a yearly basis, GDP increased by 1.4% in July, slightly below the economists' forecast of 1.5% [4] - In the three months leading to July, real GDP advanced by 0.2%, following a 0.3% rise in the previous three months [4] Trade Balance - The visible trade deficit remained relatively unchanged at GBP 23.68 billion in July compared to GBP 23.65 billion in June [4] - The surplus on services decreased to GBP 15.28 billion from GBP 15.42 billion, resulting in a total trade balance deficit of GBP 8.4 billion, up from GBP 8.23 billion the previous month [5]

GDP Growth & Economic Strength - US economy grew stronger than expected in Q2, driven by trade balance and consumer strength [1] - Strong GDP growth and income growth were observed [2] - The GDP release showed overall economic strength [4] - Real income grew by 3% [7] Tariffs & Trade - $127 billion in tariffs were collected [3] - Imported goods prices have dropped, suggesting foreign producers are bearing tariff costs [6] - Revenue from tariffs is important for deficit reduction [19] - Approximately 40% of imports have a 10-15% tariff [21] - The EU and Japan have agreed to spend $1 trillion in America with capital formation [21] Government Spending & Employment - Government spending saw a 5% drop [3] - There are 70,000 fewer federal employees [3] Housing & Construction - Construction spending was a point of weakness in the numbers [10] - Construction projects were held up due to anticipation of the "big beautiful bill" [11] Monetary Policy - Core PCE is at 21% [8][14] - The White House respects the Federal Reserve's independence and analysis [14]

Market Overview - Pre-market futures are up due to various earnings reports, economic data, and a significant railway merger [1] - The Dow is slightly down by 12 points, while the S&P 500 is up by 11 points, and the Nasdaq is up by 88 points [1] Railway Merger - Union Pacific (UNP) is set to acquire Norfolk Southern (NSC) for $72 billion, or $320 per share, creating the first trans-continental railroad in the U.S. [2] - The merger requires approval from the Surface Transportation Board, and the current administration may favor the deal despite monopolistic concerns [3] Trade Balance - The Advanced U.S. Trade Balance in Goods for June shows a pullback to -$86 billion, better than expected, driven by a 4.2% decline in imports [4] - This indicates a slowdown in trade due to higher tariff expectations, contrasting with the record-low trade balance of -$162 billion in March 2025 [4] Q2 Earnings Highlights - Boeing (BA) reported a Q2 loss of $1.24 per share, improving by 30 cents over consensus, with revenues of $22.75 billion exceeding estimates by 4.1% [5] - UnitedHealth (UNH) missed earnings expectations with $4.08 per share versus $4.84 expected, while revenues of $111.6 billion slightly beat estimates [6] - Royal Caribbean (RCL) reported earnings of $4.38 per share, surpassing consensus by 6.8%, despite revenues of $4.54 billion missing projections [7] - Spotify (SPOT) reported a loss of $0.48 per share, significantly missing the $2.13 consensus estimate, with revenues of $4.76 billion also falling short [8]

Trade Relations - Thailand's Finance Ministry is considering zero tariffs on more US imports [1] - Thailand proposed to the US to reduce its trade surplus by 70% in the next 5 years [1] - Thailand aims to achieve trade balance with the US in 7-8 years [1] Tariffs and Trade Balance - The proposal aims to counter the 36% tariffs imposed by the US [1]

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry Core Insights - The trade balance widened moderately in May to -$71.5 billion, with a drop in exports and imports remaining essentially flat [1][3] - Imports from China have significantly decreased due to high tariffs, but are expected to rebound as tariffs are reduced [1][8] - The overall effective tariff rate on imports to the US is approximately 9%, with China facing a much higher rate of 45% [4] Summary by Sections Trade Balance - The trade balance widened from -$60.3 billion in April to -$71.5 billion in May, with goods exports falling by 5.9% month-over-month and services exports decreasing by 0.2% [3] - The goods trade balance with China saw a 19.9% decline in exports and a 26.3% decline in imports [4] Imports and Exports - Imports from the EU rebounded by 6.9%, while imports from Canada and Mexico rose by 0.5% and 8%, respectively [4] - The drop in exports in May was less severe when accounting for falling gold exports, which had surged in April [6] Economic Impact - The widening trade balance in May is expected to mechanically weigh on GDP growth, but net exports may provide a substantial boost to GDP growth in Q2 due to the plunge in imports in April [5] - Imports of metals have declined significantly, which could negatively impact domestic production in sectors reliant on metal imports [7]

Economic Activity - Core durable goods orders, excluding defense and air, increased by 17% after a previous decrease of 15% [1] - Advanced goods trade balance came in at $966 billion, exceeding the forecast of $86 billion [2] - Imports remained flat after a previous decrease of 20% [3] Labor Market - Initial jobless claims decreased to 236000 from 246000 [2] - Continuing claims increased from 1937000 to 1974000, suggesting companies may not be actively hiring [6] - Initial jobless claims suggest companies are not actively firing [6] GDP & Consumption - The third reading of GDP came in at negative 05%, worse than the second reading of negative 02% [3] - Personal consumption was reported at 05%, lower than the initial report of 12% [4] Market Sentiment - Companies are holding back, awaiting clarity on tariffs and the Federal Reserve's actions [6]

Economic Indicators - Preliminary durable goods orders surged by 164% [2] - Trade balance deficit reached minus 966 billion [1] - Capital good orders non-defense xir increased by 17% [3] - Shipments rose by 05% [4] - Initial jobless claims decreased to 236000, the lowest since mid-year [7] - Continuing claims remained over 1974 million for five consecutive weeks [7][8] GDP and Consumption - First quarter GDP revised to minus 05%, the weakest since Q1 2022 [4][5] - Consumption dropped to 05% from 12% [6] Inflation - Price index increased to 38%, one-tenth higher than 37% [6] - PCE core moved to 35%, one-tenth higher than 34% [6]