The RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index rose for the second month in a row in September as economic conditions continued to improve. The index, which is based on surveys of manufacturing activity and sentiment by regional Federal Reserve banks, came in at 0.7 standard deviations above expectations, up from 0.4 standard deviations recorded in August. The ... READ MORE >
Industrials
Manufacturers of all stripes dominate the middle market, making everything from scanners to seatbelts. They create inputs for larger, well-known brands, producing colorants in foods, materials for construction, components for motorcycles and much more.
CHART OF THE DAY: Growth in durable goods orders slowed in August
New orders for manufactured durable goods increased for a fourth consecutive month in August, but growth was smaller compared to July, according to data released Friday by the U.S. Census Bureau. New durable goods orders were up 0.4% to $232.8 billion last month, falling short of expectations and following July's 11.7% jump. Shipments of durable goods ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Manufacturers signaled acceleration in September
Manufacturers in September reported the fastest improvement in operating conditions since January 2019, according to the U.S. manufacturing purchasing managers’ index released by IHS Markit on Wednesday. The index posted a reading of 53.5 in September, up from 53.1 in August. This month’s reading was ahead of economists’ forecasts, which called for the ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: U.S. industrial production expansion was smaller than expected in August
After three months of sharp increases, U.S. industrial production growth was smaller than expected in August, according to a Federal Reserve report released Tuesday. Industrial production expanded by 0.4% on a monthly basis following July's increase of 3.5% (revised from 3%), and is a sign that the economic recovery is starting to moderate. Analysts had ... READ MORE >
Oil prices show unprecedented volatility in 2020, and a path to recovery remains uncertain
The unprecedented imbalance the oil market has experienced for much of 2020 has garnered extraordinary responses from both oil producers and policymakers. Oil and gas companies have been forced to reposition themselves during the downturn in order to prepare for a comeback. Oil prices in the first half of 2020 were volatile, with West Texas Intermediate ... READ MORE >
U.S. manufacturing expanded in August at highest level since Q4 2018
U.S. manufacturing activity continued its expansion in August, according to Institute for Supply Management data released Tuesday, with 15 of the 18 manufacturing industries included in the data reporting growth. Last month marked the highest level of expansion in the ISM’s manufacturing index since Q4 2018. The ISM’s manufacturing index rose from its ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Does a rise in total rig count signal oil and gas recovery? Too soon to tell
U.S. rig count, a leading indicator of U.S. oil and gas production published weekly by Baker Hughes, increased in the week ended Aug. 21 for the first time since the price collapse that began in early March of this year. Following the 10 rig gain in mid-August, the count has only experienced small changes, indicating that the abrupt jump is not indicative of ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: U.S. durable goods orders accelerate on the back of strong auto demand
U.S. orders for durable goods rose 11.2% in July compared to June, led by strong automobile demand, according to Census Bureau data. This uptick further bolsters the belief that manufacturing activity will help lead the U.S. economic recovery. Orders for motor vehicles and parts jumped 21.9% in July, following an 85.6% increase in June. Core capital goods ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: U.S. IHS Markit August manufacturing PMI reaches highest point since early 2019
According to data released by IHS Markit, manufacturers noted improvement in operating conditions midway through the third quarter, as highlighted by the IHS Markit Flash U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index. The index posted a reading of 53.6 in August, up from 50.9 in July. The overall rate of improvement was the fastest since January 2019 and is ... READ MORE >
CHART OF THE DAY: Auto inventory slump may be sign of upcoming sales strength
Auto sales have accelerated over the past three months, with July U.S. new vehicle sales hitting their highest point since mid-January, according to data compiled by Ward’s Automotive Group. This has resulted in historically low inventory levels at dealer lots across the United States, with 371,000 unsold vehicles as of June 30. This resurgence in ... READ MORE >