Positive data from the US labor market. Last week American workers who first asked for the unemployment benefit they decreased by 12 thousand units, to 334 thousand. Analysts had predicted a much higher number, at 350. This was communicated by the US Labor Department, recalling that this is the second consecutive decline.
The four-week average, more reliable as it is less subject to market fluctuations, fell by 7.250 units to 345.250. The figure therefore remains below 400 units, a threshold which according to analysts signals a stalemate.
In any case, the total number of workers who received unemployment benefits for more than a week rose by 2 to 2.973.000 (in this case the figure refers to the week ending June XNUMXst).
As for retail sales, in May in the United States increased by 0,6%, to 421,15 billion dollars. The figure, released by the Department of Commerce, is higher than expected (+0,4%). On an annual basis, the result grew by 4,3%.
In detail, sales of motor vehicles and auto parts grew by 1,8%, the best result in this category for six months. Excluding the auto sector, retail sales saw an increase of 0,3%. American consumers spent more in grocery stores and on the Internet and less in restaurants and department stores. On the other hand, purchases at petrol stations decreased, -0,2%.
Finally, the Labor Department announced that in May import and export prices in the United States they fell by 0,6 and 0%, respectively. In both cases, it is the third consecutive monthly decline. On an annual basis, import prices fell by 0,5%. As for trading partners, Japanese import prices fell 1,9% from April and 0,4% from the same period last year. Those of products arriving from China decreased by 1,4%.
