The RSM Brexit Stress Index ended higher again this week on increased volatility. The composite index, which measures economic stress surrounding Britain’s impending departure from the European Union, closed at 1.74 on Friday from 1.64 a week ago. … READ MORE >
manufacturing
US manufacturing–slipping away
The U.S. manufacturing sector slipped closer to contractionary terrain in July, which in our estimation reaffirms the decision by the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates by 25 basis points at its July meeting on Wednesday. The top line sentiment index in the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing survey declined to 51.2 from 51.7 a month earlier, while production and new orders rose to 50.8. Any reading below 50 in the top line is consistent with a recession in the manufacturing sector. … READ MORE >
US employment preview: hiring deceleration amid steady unemployment rate
The U.S. economy likely generated roughly 150,000 jobs in July and the unemployment rate remained steady at 3.7%. The July employment report—due to be released by the government Friday—is traditionally impacted by seasonal adjustments that will likely include sharp slowing in education and government hiring along with a notable pick up in leisure and hospitality. In addition, we expect another soft increase of 0.2% in average hourly earnings, which would keep the year-ago metric at 3.1%. … READ MORE >
New RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index points to manufacturing slowdown, recession risk
A new manufacturing index from RSM has been declining on trend for 14 months since peaking in June 2018, and has been negative since December of last year. The performance of the new measure, the RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index, suggests the potential for negative growth in manufacturing sales in the months ahead. … 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 >
Demand for manufacturing workers remains robust, despite May’s decline in U.S. job openings
Manufacturing positions in the United States are among the hardest to fill as the labor market remains tight, a key government report released on Tuesday shows. … READ MORE >
Factory orders stall in latest Institute for Supply Management Index
The Institute for Supply Management index—a key gauge of U.S. factory activity—dropped to 51.7 in June, from 52.1 a month earlier, pulled lower primarily by economic uncertainty over trade issues. The index posted its third straight monthly decline and the weakest level since October 2016. … READ MORE >
Philadelphia Fed’s manufacturing gauge weakens sharply in June
Philadelphia Fed’s manufacturing gauge falls in June, registering its lowest level since February when the index registered zero. … READ MORE >
ISM manufacturing survey points toward further moderation
Those looking for stabilization in the downward trajectory of U.S. manufacturing sentiment will have to wait until mid-year.The April 2019 Institute for Supply Management Report on Business – an important gauge of U.S. factories – arrived below expectations with the top line index slowing to 52.8 from 55.3, the weakest level since late 2016. … READ MORE >