Employers Added a Robust 172,000 Jobs in May - The New York Times

• Kevin Warsh, the new US Federal Reserve chair, is proposing a significant shift in communication strategy by reducing the frequency and nature of the Fed's public statements. • The plan involves eliminating "forward guidance," a practice used to signal future interest rate moves to the public and financial markets.

• Researchers at Liberty Street Economics analyzed the resilience of emerging market economies (EMEs) during the U.S. monetary tightening cycle of 2022-23. • The study found that EMEs generally performed better in financial markets than predictive models suggested, with "more vulnerable" economies showing the most significant outperformance.

• RBC Economics predicts that the upcoming June jobs report will reinforce the Federal Reserve's current "inflation-first" policy stance. • Key indicators show that wage growth remains below headline PCE inflation, suggesting that earnings are not keeping pace with rising prices.

• Investors are focusing on the upcoming June US jobs report this Thursday and falling gasoline prices, both of which are expected to ease inflationary pressures. • In Europe, new eurozone inflation data will serve as a critical test for the European Central Bank's (ECB) future interest rate hike expectations.

• U.S. stock markets closed the first half of the year on a solid note, though investors remain cautious ahead of new economic data. • Market participants are closely monitoring the monthly jobs report due this Thursday, as a "hot" economy could prompt the Federal Reserve to implement further interest rate hikes.

• On June 25, 2026, top insiders at RBC Bearings ($RBC), including Director Dolores E., engaged in a significant "cash-out move" by selling shares of the company. • Despite these insider sales, the company's overall score remains positive due to strong profitability, balance-sheet improvements, and a constructive earnings outlook.

• May US PCE deflators, the Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, were released yesterday and aligned closely with market expectations. • The data serves as a critical reality check following the Fed's explicit commitment last week to prioritize its price stability mandate.

• The U.S. Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) price index for May met expectations, with headline inflation at 4.1% and core inflation at 3.4%. • Consumer spending rose by 0.7%, exceeding the 0.6% forecast, while personal income accelerated sharply by 0.7%, significantly beating the 0.4% consensus estimate.

• RBC Bearings (RBC) is facing investor scrutiny as its stock recently closed at $648.89, sparking a debate over whether its current valuation is justified. • The company's bullish outlook is driven by a narrative of accelerated earnings growth, increased profitability, and a strong position within the aerospace sector.

• South Korea's benchmark Kospi index has emerged as the world's most volatile major stock market due to extreme daily price swings. • This instability is driven by a combination of the global AI boom, inflated valuations, rising semiconductor costs, and intense retail speculation.

• South Korea's bourse operator activated a circuit breaker for the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) on Friday, June 26. • The emergency measure was triggered after stocks crashed significantly, driven primarily by a sharp slump in tech heavyweight companies.

• South Korea will transition its won trading market to a 24-hour schedule, with a trial period beginning June 29 and a full launch on July 6. • The shift includes new reforms such as offshore won settlement and updated overdraft policies designed to prevent liquidity gaps.