U.S private businesses added 104,000 jobs, the largest monthly gain since March, beating expectations
07/30/2025 12:00 pm EST
AJ Economy Trend - US up due to larger than expected job opening showing tightness in parts of the labor market
In July 2025, U.S. private businesses added 104,000 jobs, the largest monthly gain since March and well above expectations of a 75,000 increase, marking a strong rebound after June’s revised loss of 23,000 jobs. The service-providing sector led with 74,000 new jobs, driven by significant increases in leisure and hospitality (+46,000), financial activities (+28,000), and trade, transportation, and utilities (+18,000). However, education and health services experienced a notable setback, shedding 38,000 jobs. The goods-producing sector added 31,000 jobs, supported by gains in construction (+15,000), natural resources and mining (+9,000), and manufacturing (+7,000). Wage growth remained stable, with year-over-year pay increases holding at 4.4% for job-stayers and 7.0% for job-changers for the fourth straight month, suggesting continued tightness in parts of the labor market.
Euro Area Consumer Confidence Indicator increased by 0.6 points to -14.7
07/30/2025 12:00 pm EST
AJ Economy Trend - Europe up due to improved consumer confidence indicator in July 2025
In July 2025, the Euro Area consumer confidence indicator increased by 0.6 points to -14.7, reaching its highest level in four months and confirming preliminary estimates. In the wider European Union, sentiment also improved, rising 0.3 points to -14.5. The gain was driven by improved consumer assessments of their household financial situations—both past and expected—as well as a greater willingness to make major purchases. However, these positive developments were partially offset by a deterioration in expectations regarding the general economic outlook in their respective countries.
Euro Area’s Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) rose by 1.6 points to 95.8 in July 2025
07/30/2025 12:00 pm EST
AJ Economy Trend - Europe up due to improved consumer sentiment in July 2025
The Euro Area’s Economic Sentiment Indicator (ESI) rose by 1.6 points to 95.8 in July 2025, marking the highest reading in five months and exceeding market expectations of 94.5. The improvement was supported by stronger confidence in industry (-10.4 vs -11.8), services (4.1 vs 3.1), retail trade (-6.7 vs -7.6), and a slight uptick in consumer sentiment (-14.7 vs -15.3). However, construction confidence dipped slightly (-3 vs -2.9). Regionally, sentiment improved notably in France (+2.4), Spain (+2.2), and Germany (+1.2), with a more modest rise in Italy (+0.4). Sentiment was broadly unchanged in the Netherlands (-0.2) and declined significantly in Poland (-2.1), highlighting a mixed picture across member states despite overall gains.