US Business Activity Hits 5-Month High as Manufacturing Surges and Energy Costs Ease
Key Facts
In a move reflecting the resilience of the US economy despite high interest rates, latest data showed a significant acceleration in private sector activity during June. According to reports, the US Flash Composite PMI Output Index rose to 52.2, reaching its highest level in five months. This growth was primarily driven by the robust performance of the manufacturing sector, where the Manufacturing PMI surged to 55.7, marking a 49-month high, supported by declining energy costs and easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
This recovery comes as US Retail Sales data showed a 0.7% month-on-month growth (per market data released June 17), indicating sustained domestic consumption strength. Compared to other major economies, US business activity is outperforming the Eurozone, which has faced persistent inflationary pressures with the EU annual CPI holding at 2.6% per market data. This divergence reinforces expectations of continued US economic outperformance in the near term.
Looking ahead, traders are monitoring the broader impact on the USD after the Fed held interest rates at 3.75% at its June 17, 2026 meeting. Market attention now shifts to upcoming data to gauge the sustainability of this momentum, including UK unemployment figures and various global central bank decisions. These strong PMI figures may complicate the path for future rate cuts, especially with the Atlanta Fed GDPNow estimate standing at 3% as of June 17, 2026.
Latest Updates · 2
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Update: The services sector bolstered this momentum as the US Services PMI hit a 4-month high of 51.3, beating market expectations. Meanwhile, international divergence widened as the UK economy contracted for a second month to a 14-month low, while the Eurozone showed relative resilience with its Composite PMI rising to 49.5 despite remaining in contraction territory.
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Update: These figures came in stronger than analyst estimates, which had projected the Composite PMI to reach only 50.8. Following the release, precious metals markets saw a notable reaction as gold prices rebounded from their session lows, reflecting investors' immediate response to signs of economic strength.