The RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index declined into negative terrain in May, signaling the impact of high inflation, rising interest rates, the lockdowns in China and the war in Ukraine. While this decline does not imply that the manufacturing sector or the U.S. economy has fallen into a ... READ MORE >
manufacturing
Chart of the day: Manufacturing grew at a slower rate in April
Manufacturing grew at a slower rate in back-to-back months as labor shortages continued to hamper production while demand moderated from January's high. The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index registered 55.4%, the slowest growth rate since July 2020, and down from 57.1% in March. An ... READ MORE >
RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index: Decelerating growth as tensions mount
The deceleration of manufacturing is now in its ninth month, with the RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index signaling the potential for further economic moderation from rising prices and slowing demand. A deeper dive into the RSM survey suggests that geopolitical uncertainty and a resurgent ... READ MORE >
RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index: Geopolitical tensions and possibility of a midcycle slowdown
The RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index increased in March but is showing signs of impending economic damage caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Those warning signs may be creating the conditions for a classic midcycle slowing in overall manufacturing sentiment and activity. Our index is a ... READ MORE >
Industrial production advanced, and oil and coal outputs ramped up amid rising prices
Industrial production grew at a slower rate in February as utility outputs dropped back down from an unusually cold January. Manufacturing took the driver seat on the month, despite a sharp drop in auto production. The top line for production activities remained solid at 0.5% increase month-over-month, ... READ MORE >
Rapid-fire sanctions: What do they mean for industrial companies?
Russia is known for its commodity exports to the world, and the short- and long-term impacts of the recent sanctions on the country are not yet completely clear. But given the wide-reaching implications of these sanctions on everything from energy and metals to airplane parts and shipping, we can ... READ MORE >
Chart of the day: Manufacturing grows as supply chains improve
The manufacturing sector expanded in February as the economy continued a strong rebound. The manufacturing purchasing managers’ index rose 1 percentage point to 58.6 in February, registering the 21st consecutive month of growth, the Institute for Supply Management reported on Tuesday. The sector has ... READ MORE >
As inflation has risen, companies ask: ‘Can I really raise my prices?’
As companies across virtually every sector of the economy continue to grapple with inflation at its highest level in 30 years, more executives are taking a closer look at whether to increase prices. But there are more dynamics at play than just rising costs, and businesses need to take a broader view as ... READ MORE >
Rising capex investments require ‘new collar’ workers: Spring 2022 outlook
At a glance Since the last economic recession, the industrial sector has lagged others in capital goods investments, but 2021 saw record industrial spending in this area as companies played catch-up. This elevated spending could have important implications for the industry’s future, especially on ... READ MORE >
The automotive sector as a blueprint for robotics in manufacturing: Spring 2022 outlook
At a glance While the automotive industry today has the highest robotic density compared to other manufacturing sectors, demand for automation is growing outside of the auto space. In 2020, U.S. non-automotive manufacturers’ robotics orders, led by the electronics industry with 23% growth, ... READ MORE >