the economy is ripping...
if you define the economy by the sectors doing well and define the trend by the latest data print
the economy is *not* ripping
PMIs are diffusion indices and measure how broadly conditions are improving *not* how large the improvement is
a strong manufacturing PMI is great, but manufacturing is a relatively small share of the economy and all the strength is concentrated in defense, AI infra, and maintaining inventories
same issue with retail sales. headline sales are nominal. higher prices ≠ stronger spending.
a more accurate read is that there are strong pockets of activity and some broad resilience but the economy remains on edge