The recession in the U.S. manufacturing sector that began in the second half of 2019 has been sharply exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, new proprietary data from RSM shows. Significantly more middle market manufacturers reported losses to U.S. revenue and greater disruptions to operations and their ... READ MORE >
manufacturing
COVID-19 pandemic drives largest drop in U.S. factory production on record
Total industrial production in the United States fell 11.2% in April from a month earlier, according to numbers released Friday by the Federal Reserve. That decline is the largest monthly drop in the 101-year history of the industrial production index, reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic ... READ MORE >
RSM Manufacturing Outlook Index shows six-standard-deviation hit
The RSM Manufacturing Outlook Index is now tracking at 6.3 standard deviations below normal conditions, surpassing levels seen during Global Financial Crisis of 2007-08 and even the global debacle of the July 1980 “double dip” recession. This reading strongly suggests that the Institute of Supply ... READ MORE >
Key manufacturing index indicates the industry contracted in March
A key gauge of U.S. factory activity dipped into contraction territory in March, new data released Wednesday shows. The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index dipped to 49.1 in March, from 50.1 a month earlier, and above the consensus of 44.5. A reading below 50 indicates contraction in ... READ MORE >
ISM manufacturing index declines in February
The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index — a key gauge of U.S. factory activity — dropped to 50.1 in February from 50.9 a month earlier, falling slightly below economists' expectations. Sluggish global growth amid the spread of the coronavirus was a factor in that drop. Figures above ... READ MORE >
Key manufacturing index shows expansion in January, but may not be sustainable
The Institute for Supply Management on Monday said its purchasing managers' index (PMI) increased to 50.9 in January against an expectation of 48.5, rising above 50 for the first time since July 2019, and from a four-year low of 47.8 in December. An indicator above 50 is considered an expansion in ... READ MORE >
Continued warnings or signs of bottoming out for industrial production and manufacturing
The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Indicator moved slightly lower in December, continuing a downward trend that began in the last months of 2018. Movement of the leading indicator has traditionally coincided with trends with industrial-sector activity. In this current cycle, the leading indicator ... READ MORE >
Equipment as a service – a potential capex solution during a slowdown?
In today’s world of subscription models – streaming videos and music services, household essentials, food preparation – why not apply that concept to industrial machinery? Especially during a manufacturing slowdown when uncertainty is stalling capital investment, the concept – known as equipment as a ... READ MORE >
Looking to 2020: Consumer is king amid slowing growth
The American economy will continue to slow toward a growth rate of 1.5% in 2020, below its long-term average of 1.8%, as sturdy consumer spending compensates for financial volatility and erratic trade policy. That consumption, though, increasingly depends on rising asset prices that help boost confidence, ... READ MORE >
U.S. industrial production falls a sharp 0.8% in October
Those who are making the case that U.S. industrial production has bottomed may want to rethink that overly optimistic statement. 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 ... READ MORE >