Economic data included consumer and producer price inflation coming in a bit cooler than expected, although both remain above long-term trend. Consumer confidence also improved, in keeping with paused tariff policies. However, continuing jobless claims kept rising, which could be due to some seasonal effects and/or labor markets softening further.

Economic data included stronger job openings, while the ISM manufacturing and services PMI indexes weakened. The employment situation report showed in showing growth, but prior revisions downward, so generally neutral.

On a holiday-shortened week, economic data included a slight upgrade to Q1 U.S. GDP growth, and improvement in personal income, spending, and consumer sentiment, while durable orders fell back.

Economic data included gains in both manufacturing and services PMI measures, as well as in new home sales, while existing home sales fell back.

  Equities suffered their worst week since the pandemic, reacting negatively to the U.S. administration’s tariff news.

At the March meeting, the U.S. Federal Reserve Open Market Committee voted to keep the Fed funds policy rate unchanged at the current...