The RSM Manufacturing Outlook Index is reporting a remarkable rebound of sentiment in the U.S. manufacturing industry. But while the worst might be behind us, the index remains slightly negative at nearly 0.3 standard deviations below normal conditions, which suggests that a national recovery has yet to ... READ MORE >
RSM Manufacturing Outlook Index
Latest ISM manufacturing data shows signs of stabilization
The Institute for Supply Management index, a closely watched measure of U.S. manufacturing activity, rose in May for the first time since January, hinting that activity is beginning to stabilize following huge market disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The index improved to 43.1 in May from ... READ MORE >
Manufacturing sector outlook less dire than last month, but still bleak
The RSM Manufacturing Outlook Index is now 4.2 standard deviations below normal conditions, an assessment of manufacturing conditions that is not as dire as last month, but dire nonetheless. Perhaps last month’s reading of about six standard deviations below normal was an indication from manufacturers ... 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 >
RSM Manufacturing Outlook Index gives another sign of recession
It’s time to talk about the elephant in the room. The RSM Manufacturing Outlook Index took a nosedive in March, to levels ordinarily reserved for recessions. The index reversed the gains of the first two months of the year and dropped more than two standard deviations below levels associated with normal ... READ MORE >
RSM manufacturing outlook signals additional decline
The RSM US Manufacturing Outlook Index continues to anticipate a decline in manufacturing, falling in September to -0.84 standard deviations below normal conditions for the manufacturing sector from -0.55 standard deviations in August (see Figure 1). It's the latest piece of data pointing to a slowdown ... READ MORE >
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 ... READ MORE >