Please call the FX Department at 626-279-3235 for the most current rate.
July 3, 2025
A closely watched report released by the Labor Department on Thursday showed employment in the U.S. increased in June. They said non-farm payroll employment shot up by 147,000 jobs in June after jumping by 144,000 jobs in May. The stronger job growth partly reflected increases in state government and healthcare employment, which helped to offset the continued loss of government jobs. The report also said the unemployment rate decreased to 4.1% in June from 4.2% in May.
The Labor Department released a separate report on Thursday showing a decrease in first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits in the week ending on June 28. The report said initial jobless claims edged down to 233,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level of 237,000. 07/03/2025 - 09:27:00 (RTTNews)
Euro traded at 1.1763 against USD at 9:00 AM PST
The euro area private sector expanded in June as both the manufacturing and services sectors registered higher output. The HCOB final composite output index advanced to 50.6 in June from 50.2 in May. Although the score signaled only marginal growth, it was the highest in three months. Higher output was recorded for the sixth consecutive month, and employment increased for the fourth month in a row. Further, the ongoing downturn in new orders showed signs of ending, and the outlook hit its strongest in nearly a year.
On the price front, the input price inflation remained unchanged from May's six-month low. Manufacturing output prices declined in June, whereas service providers increased charges at a rate that remained above the long-run average.
Among the big-four economies, Spain reported the fastest expansion in June. The composite output index stood at 52.1 in June, up from 51.4 in May. The HCOB services PMI advanced to 51.9 from 51.3 in the prior month.
Italy's economy expanded for the fifth consecutive month, although it was the slowest rate since March. The composite PMI registered 51.1 compared to 52.5 a month ago. The services PMI declined to 52.1 from 53.2.
Germany returned to growth with a fifth rise in output in 2025, but at a weak pace. The composite output index climbed to 50.4 in June from 48.5 in the prior month. At the same time, the services PMI improved more than estimated to 49.7 in June from 47.1 in the previous month.
France remained the laggard with activity declining for the tenth straight month in June. The HCOB composite output index logged 49.2 in June, broadly unchanged from the reading of 49.3 in May. At 49.6, the services PMI was up from 48.9 in May and the initial score of 48.7. 07/03/2025 - 07:48:00 (RTTNews)
British Pounds traded at 1.3659 against USD at 9:00 AM PST
The U.K. service sector posted its fastest growth in ten months in June, underpinned by a renewed improvement in order books. The service business activity index climbed to 52.8 in June from 50.9 in the previous month. This was the highest score since August. The combined output of the manufacturing and service sectors registered its fastest growth since September 2024. The composite output index improved to 52.0 from 50.3 a month ago.
The rebound in the service sector was fueled by a turnaround in domestic business and consumer spending. However, some service companies commented on growth headwinds from subdued U.K. economic conditions, the impact of U.S. tariffs, and adverse geopolitical factors. New orders received by service providers were the strongest since November 2024. There was greater demand in domestic markets, while export sales declined for the third straight month.
Employment decreased for the ninth consecutive month in June. The rate of job shedding was slightly faster than in May. Backlogs of work decreased in each month since June 2023, marking the longest continuous period for more than 15 years.
Cost inflation in the service sector eased to its lowest in six months. Due to weaker cost inflation and intense competition for new work, charged inflation showed another slowdown.
The Bank of England (BoE) has reduced its interest rates four times since last August. Last month, the bank maintained the status quo as inflation remained persistently above the 2% target. 07/03/2025 - 08:18:00 (RTTNews)
China's service activity expanded at the slowest pace in nine months in June on falling export business. The Caixin services PMI registered 50.6 in June, down from 51.1 in May. The score remained above the 50.0 threshold for the thirtieth consecutive month. The moderation in new business growth was the major reason for the softer rise in services activity. Export business decreased at the fastest pace since December 2022.
Service providers lowered their staffing levels due to the slowdown in new order growth. The fall in employment contributed to a build-up of outstanding work in June. Regarding prices, average input costs remained on an upward trend due to higher raw material and fuel costs. Companies continued to cut their output charges due to intense market competition. Overall, the private sector returned to expansion in June after falling in the prior month amid a fresh increase in factory output. The composite output index posted above the 50.0 no-change threshold at 51.3 in June, up from 49.6 in May. 07/03/2025 - 02:48:00 (RTTNews)
This market update is prepared by Cathay Bank for informational purposes only and does not constitute any form of legal, tax or investment advice, nor should it be considered an assurance or guarantee of future exchange rate movements or trends. This information is provided without regard to the specific objectives, financial situations or needs of any recipient. Cathay Bank does not make any representations or warranties about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of this market update.
Our specialists are happy to assist you with all your International Banking needs. Please reach out to our team for more information.
