OREANDA-NEWS. Ongoing improvement in U.S. economic and job market conditions should continue the streak of strong performance and keep metrics in record territory, Fitch Ratings says.

Jobless claims continue to hover around historic lows, falling to their lowest level since November 1973. The most recent four-week moving average fell to 278,500 and has remained below the 300,000 benchmark. The strengthening job market should continue to support U.S. credit card ABS as metrics remain near their historic levels.

However, continuation of the economic improvement may lead to further loosening of underwriting standards. Fitch expects the loosening of credit thus far will not have an impact on ABS trusts. Over the longer-term, it may result in weaker performance.

Fitch's Prime Credit Card Index indicates the streak of strong card ABS performance in the near term to persist. We expect both prime chargeoffs and 60+ day delinquencies to decline slightly, with delinquencies approaching another historic low. Prime monthly payment rate (MPR) is also expected to improve slightly while prime gross yield is expected to dip.

Retail metrics should also remain near their records. We expect retail gross yield and MPR to improve from last month's figures. Retail chargeoffs are predicted to decline for the third month in a row while retail 60+ day delinquencies to tick up slightly, but remain near their historic lows.

Our expectations of these trends reflect the June reporting period (as of June 30, 2015) and July distribution date. The actual results will be available in early August.