US DATA: July Richmond Fed mfg text: “In July, the seasonally
adjusted composite index of manufacturing activity our broadest
measure of manufacturing fell sixteen points to -17 from June’s
reading of -1. Among the index’s components, shipments declined
twenty-three points to -23, new orders dropped eighteen points to end at
-25, and the jobs index moved down seven points to 1. Other indicators
also suggested weakening activity. The backlogs and capacity utilization
indexes weakened further, losing thirteen and twelve points,
respectively, to finish at -27 and -16. Additionally, the delivery
times index moved down three points to -5.”