Improving supply chain conditions kick off H2 in the US
Supply-chain conditions in the US offered encouraging signs to start Q3, according to our supply chain tracker. Inflationary pressures ebbed and logistics challenges eased. Labor market dynamics improved while inventories maintained their ascent. Cooler activity resulted in a healthier balance between demand and supply.
What you will learn:
- Commodity prices declined 8% on average in July, and regional Fed and ISM surveys signaled lower price pressures. Costs will remain high in H2 2022, but we should see inflation prints start to come down as demand begins to align with supply.
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Cargo ship backlogs in Southern California declined for the sixth straight month, and other modes of transport also signaled reduced stress. Shipping prices were flat or fell. Conditions are improving, but geopolitical risks continue to cast a shadow over logistics.
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Labor market conditions were heartening as the economy created a robust 528k jobs, and overtime hours fell again. We look for reduced consumer demand, high costs, and lower profitability to bring worker demand and supply into greater equilibrium.
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