Manufacturing boomed in July. Thank all that AI money

In July, the manufacturing sector grew at its fastest month-to-month rate in four years. A new tax law likely boosted company spending to some degree, but AI investment packed the biggest punch — demand is strong and the money is flowing. Also in this episode: McDonald’s suffers a sales slump, the latest JOLTS data points to a steadily improving labor market, and Kai talks to one economist behind a Trump administration investment tracker.

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Read the stories in today’s episode:

• Manufacturing sector benefits from continued AI demand
• Tracking down the Trump administration's $27.6 billion in investments
• Why job openings have been rising slowly this year
• McDonald's sales soften as diners spend cautiously
• Where did China's oil imports go?