• Supply chain data shows that the US consumer goods industry is still in decline, shown by shipping volumes that fell for the 12th straight month in July. The slide has been led by a downturn in toys and leisure goods, while the electrical goods shipments linked to infrastructure investments are still expanding.
• The tech sector is gearing up for the annual smartphone launch season. While seasonality is returning to normal, shipments are still well below historical levels. A major new chip investment in Germany shows the race for semiconductor manufacturing is alive and well, alt...