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July 23, 2026
First-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits decreased in the week ending on July 18th, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The report said initial jobless claims fell to 187,000, a decrease of 22,000 from the previous week's revised level of 209,000. With the decrease, jobless claims dropped to their lowest level since hitting 182,000 in the week ending on September 6, 1969. The Labor Department said the less volatile four-week moving average also declined to 207,500, a decrease of 7,250 from the previous week's average of 214,750.
Continuing claims, a reading on the number of people receiving ongoing unemployment assistance, also edged down by 2,000 to 1.796 million in the week ending on July 11th. The four-week moving average of continuing claims also dipped to 1,805,250, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's average of 1,809,250. 07/23/2026 - 10:07:00 (RTTNews)
Euros traded at 1.1374 against USD at 9:00 AM PST
French manufacturing sentiment rose slightly in July, underpinned by improving past production and global order book levels. The manufacturing confidence index rose slightly from 100 in June to 101 in July. The past production index climbed from 3 in the previous month to 7. Meanwhile, the one related to personal production prospects dropped to -1, the lowest since August 2025.
The balance of opinions associated with the level of global order books improved, with the index rising from -14 to -12. The index measuring foreign order books remained stable at -12. The finished-goods inventory index plunged from 16 in June to 10. The indicator for past workforce size rose to zero. The personal production outlook index declined to -1, while the general production prospects indicator improved to -10. Further, the balance of opinion associated with the trend in selling prices over the next three months decreased from 20 to 9.
The overall business confidence index, which comprises the responses of business leaders from sectors such as manufacturing, construction, services, retail trade, and wholesale trade, rose from 95 in June to 97. 07/23/2026 - 09:15:00 (RTTNews)
Taiwan's industrial production growth accelerated for the first time in three months in June, while retail sales increased for the fifth month straight. Industrial production advanced 22.95% year-on-year in June, faster than the 11.85% growth in May.
Among sectors, the annual growth in manufacturing output improved from 12.69% to 24.34%. Meanwhile, the contraction in the mining and quarrying sector softened marginally from 8.86% to 8.54%. Electricity supply and gas production were 1.91% higher. Monthly, industrial production climbed to a seasonally adjusted 2.68% after rising 1.6% in May.
Retail sales surged 8.02% yearly in June, faster than the 5.25% increase in the previous month. Sales at general merchandise stores advanced 5.24%, and those at the food, beverages, and tobacco industries grew 4.35%. Sales of textiles and clothing in specialized stores expanded 3.55%, and motor vehicles, motorcycles, and related sales at specialized stores logged a sharp increase of 19.13%. 07/23/2026 - 07:34:00 (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.
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