The Philadelphia Fed Factory index for......>

US DATA: The Philadelphia Fed Factory index for July comes in at 24.1 vs 27.5 in

Jun and 20.0 expected. This was the second consecutive positive reading

following three consecutive contractions amid COVID-related losses of activity

earlier in the year.

- The Philly Fed summarizes: "The indicators for current activity, new orders,

and shipments remained positive for the second consecutive month, and the

employment index reached positive territory for the first time since March. Both

prices paid and prices received indexes remained positive. The survey's future

indexes suggest that respondents continue to expect growth in manufacturing

activity over the next six months."

- Another solid regional July reading vs consensus, following Wednesday's Empire

State number exceeding expectations (17.2 vs 10.0 exp., -0.2 prior).