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 supply chains than the … … 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 forcing many factories … … 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 Management’s Purchasing Managers Index—a closely watched gauge of manufacturing activity—will post a historical low of 36 in the time series when ISM releases its monthly report on May 1. … 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 the manufacturing sector, … … 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, and below the consensus of 50.5. … 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. … 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 has been propped up by a robust … … 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 service — could be a solution for new projects or could support ongoing or experimental projects. … 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, and solid job growth. … READ MORE >
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 >