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May Chicago Fed National Activity Index Declines Much More Than Expected

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The Chicago Federal Reserve Bank's monthly National Activity Index fell to a reading of minus 0.10 in May from 0.19 in April, compared with expectations for a much smaller decrease to 0.15 in survey of analysts compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:30 am ET.

The three-month moving average decreased to minus 0.03 from 0.07.

Of the 85 individual indicators, 35 made positive contributions to the index in May, while 50 made negative contributions. Some 42 indicators improved in the month, while 41 indicators deteriorated, and two were unchanged.

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Market Chatter: Japan Unveils 370 Trillion Yen Long-Term Investment Plan

The Japanese government said it will target 370 trillion yen in combined public and private investment by fiscal 2040, with a clear emphasis on semiconductors as part of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's strategy to spur growth and protect national security, Nikkei Asia reported on Wednesday.The sweeping long-term strategy covers 17 sectors deemed critical to economic security, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, energy, medicine and entertainment, and is intended to help private-sector firms plan investments by providing a government benchmark, the news daily said.Of the overall investment goal, 68 trillion yen is specifically allocated to semiconductors under the plan unveiled Wednesday at a joint government policy council meeting, the publication said.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)

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New Zealand New Residential Mortgage Lending Rises in May

Total new residential mortgage lending in New Zealand rose to NZ$8.63 billion in May from NZ$7.99 billion in April, according to data from the Reserve Bank of New Zealand released on Thursday.Residential mortgage lending to first home buyers rose to NZ$1.68 billion in May from NZ$1.65 billion in the previous month. Lending to other owner-occupiers increased to NZ$5.23 billion from NZ$4.76 billion.Residential mortgage lending to investors rose to NZ$1.61 billion from NZ$1.46 billion, while that for business purposes decreased to NZ$112 million from NZ$119 million.Total new residential lending at a loan-to-valuation ratio above 80% came in at NZ$1.25 billion in May for all borrower types, up from NZ$1.17 billion in April.Residential mortgage lending, where the loan-to-valuation ratio is equal to or below 80%, was NZ$7.38 billion for all borrower types, up from NZ$6.82 billion in the previous month.

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SMMT: UK's Total Vehicle Production Up 2.7% in May

Britain's total vehicle manufacturing rose 2.7% year over year to 51,178 units in May, rebounding for the first time in 2026, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said Thursday.Car production climbed 3.2% to 49,249 units after four months of decline, while commercial vehicle output dropped 7.6% to 1,929 units.For the five months to May, total vehicle manufacturing fell 8.7% annually to 317,779 units.

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