American factory activity declined for the fourth straight month in November as sluggish global growth and continued uncertainty over trade issues took their toll, according a key gauge released Monday by the Institute for Supply Management.
… READ MORE >
Industrials
U.S. industrial production falls a sharp 0.8% in October
While auto production will undoubtedly rebound in November, the problems at Boeing surrounding the 737 Max and the uncertainty tax imposed on firms caused by the trade conflict with China have knocked the air out of domestic industrial production. … READ MORE >
ISM Manufacturing Index continues to contract
The October ISM Manufacturing Index continued to contract in October, though it improved to 48.3 from September’s reading of 47.9, implying a modestly slower pace of contraction in domestic manufacturing sentiment. … READ MORE >
RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index remains negative
The RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index continues to anticipate a slowdown in production, remaining negative in October at -0.59 standard deviations below normal conditions for the manufacturing sector. This is a slight improvement from its September value of -0.79 standard deviations. … READ MORE >
The jobs report comes out Friday. Put a big asterisk on it because of the GM strike.
We expect the U.S. employment report to show a net increase of 75,000 in total employment, well below the three-month average of 157,000. … READ MORE >
US manufacturing activity hits 10-year low point
Contraction in U.S. manufacturing is continuing, with activity reaching a ten-year low in September, as economic and political uncertainty weigh on the industrial sector. … READ MORE >
Latest ISM purchasing managers index signals potential recessionary territory for manufacturing sector
A key gauge of U.S. factory activity contracted in August for the first time in three years, as new orders continued to stall. Performance of the ISM purchasing managers index highlights the repercussions of trade uncertainty and slower growth outside of the U.S., with signs pointing to U.S. manufacturing entering a recession. … READ MORE >
Administration delays tariffs on some Chinese goods ahead of holidays
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Tuesday issued a notice stating that an additional planned 10% tariff set to take effect on Sept. 1 on many imports from China will be delayed on some of those products until Dec. 15. The move was expected to provide relief to U.S. retailers and consumers ahead of the critical holiday selling season. … READ MORE >
Boeing’s potential halt to 737 Max production would have wide economic impact
Boeing on Wednesday reported its largest-ever quarterly loss of $3.4 billion due to the continued troubles with its 737 Max plane.The company continues to work with regulators, but if not able to get approval in the near term, Boeing said it would consider reducing or shutting down production of the 737 Max entirely. … READ MORE >
Central banks brace for economic slowdown as manufacturing reflects contraction
As global central banks, including the U.S. Federal Reserve, prepare to proactively stave off an economic slowdown, we turn our attention to the primary rationale behind the push to alter monetary policy–the global economic downturn in manufacturing and its ripple effect on middle market suppliers. … READ MORE >