ISM Manufacturing PMI fell to 54.6 in August from July’s near four-year high of 55.6

The ISM Manufacturing PMI fell to 54.6 in August from July’s near four-year high of 55.6, below market expectations of 55.2. the reading nevertheless marked the eight straight month of expansion in manufacturing activity, although growth moderated as new orders slowed sharply. Production growth was broadly stable while employment growth eased.

Meanwhile manufacturers continued to highlight rising costs, supply-chain disruptions and heightened uncertainty, with tariffs and the Middle East conflict adding further pressure.

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) decreased to -0.04 in August from +0.08 in July. Two of the four broad categories of indicators used to construct the index decreased from July, and one category made a negative contribution in August. The index’s three-month moving average (CFNAI-MA3) increased to +0.01 in August from -0.01 in July.

US raw steel production down from previous week

In the week ending September 19, 2026, US raw steel production was 1,785,000 net tons at an ACUR of 77.9 percent, down 6.1 percent from the previous week. Adjusted YTD production through September 19, 2026 was 66,537,000 net tons at an ACUR of 79.0 percent.

Fifth District Survey of Manufacturing Activity survey results for September reports manufacturing activity edged down in September

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond released its Fifth District Survey of Manufacturing Activity survey results for September, and reports manufacturing activity edged down in September. The composite manufacturing index edged down to -2 from 4 in August. Two of its three component indexes decreased in September: shipments, and new orders.
Futures indexes for shipments and new orders remained firmly in positive territory.

US drill rigs running up from previous week

In the week ending September 25, 2026, there were 599 drill rigs running in the US, up four rigs from the previous week. Canadian drillers added eleven rigs, to 208, up eighteen rigs from one year ago.

It is uncanny to me that the Democrats are now for “slowing” the advance of AI. Bernie sanders, of course, blames a “few oligarchs,” I mean, where does he come up with this shit? He must have a book of notes on “blaming oligarchs for anything” from which he picks his targets.

The President signed a deal with Greenland and Denmark Tuesday granting the US the right to establish a permanent military presence there, in perpetuity. The deal confirms a 1951 deal struck after WWII with a few additional points. Greenland is a strategically located piece of real estate whose control and protection by the United States is necessary to national security.

Since they won’t leave it alone:

Abraham Lincoln paid reparations through the Freedman’s Bureau in 1865. It gave all free Black men 40 acres of land and a mule, plus food, clothing and farm tools over a seven-year period, until 1872 when the program was ended by the Democrats. Go figure.

MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN