MSD Weekly Market Update: Week Ending July 17, 2026
Economic reports this past week were generally better than expected on both the inflation and business activity front. We provide color herein on the inflation data which spurred a decline in yields. Various survey results portrayed modestly better business sentiment, with the Empire Manufacturing, NY Fed Business Leaders, and Philadelphia Fed Business surveys all posting improvements. The notable exceptions to the improved data were the decidedly worse-than-expected results from the NAHB Housing Market Index and NAR Pending Home Sales data; the former report registered its lowest level of the year, while the latter posted a 5-month low. Elevated rates and challenging affordability continue to be headwinds to improvement in the housing sector. Improved sentiment and inflation readings are likely, at least in part, due to the decline in energy prices in June. But the past week has proven that the Mideast situation remains both unresolved and fluid, thereby leaving its impact on prices potentially still intact...

































