Modest Gain Masks Disappointing Report A modest gain masks a disappointing report: the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.1% in August. While headline inflation was kept in check by falling gasoline process, core inflation increased 0.6% over the month. US Raw Steel Production Up from Prior Week In the week ending 9/10/22, US raw steel [...]
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased in August, following three monthly declines. News Headlines Our southern border remains open to anyone. The Chinese are supplying the chemicals to make fentanyl to the Mexican cartels who are happy to sell it to Americans too stupid to heed the warnings. I believe somewhere near 3,000 Americans [...]
Supply/Demand Balance Supply/demand balance in manufacturing comes with appropriate tension levels between new orders and deliveries. According to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing ISM Report on Business for August 2022. Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in August, with the overall economy achieving a 27th consecutive month of growth, say the nation’s [...]
GDP Decreased Again GDP decreased again, at an annual rate of 0.6 percent following a 1.6 percent decrease in the first quarter, according to the “second” estimate of 2nd quarter GDP the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) report. CFNAI Rose in July Led by improvements in production-related indicators, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) rose [...]
Cutting Tool Consumption Up Cutting tool consumption up indicates a rise in manufacturing activity. US machine shops and other manufacturers consumed $175.9 million worth of cutting tools during June 2022, 0.3 % more than during May and 2.2% more than the June 2021 consumption total. The Cutting Tool Market Report tracks cutting-tool consumption as a [...]
Optimism Rose for First Time Since December 2021 Optimism rose for first time since December 2021, according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index. July Consumer Price Index at 8.5 Percent The Consumer Price Index (CPI) released Wednesday, pegs inflation for July at 8.5 percent, a reduction, yes, but still [...]
A 26th Consecutive Month of Growth Achieved by Overall Economy A 26th consecutive month of growth in the overall economy was reported by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) in its July 2022 Manufacturing ISM Report on Business. It further states economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in July. The report was issued by [...]
The Fed Raised Interest Rates by .75% On Wednesday, the Fed raised interest rates by .75% On Thursday, GDP estimate for the 2nd quarter declined by 0.9%, its second consecutive quarterly decline. The CFNAI Unchanged in June 2022 The Chicago Fed National activity Index (CFNAI) was unchanged at -0.19 in June. Two of the four [...]
Recession Risks Grow as US LEI Continues to Decline Recession risks grow, as the Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) for the US decreased by 0.8 percent in June, after declining 0.6 percent in May. The LEI was down 1.8 percent over the first half of 2022. The US LEI declined for a fourth consecutive [...]
The Small Business Optimism Index Fell in June to 89.5 The Small Business Optimism Index Fell in June to 89.5, down 3.6 points, according to the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). The index has been trending lower for a year now and June’s drop brought the index below the low hit in April 2020 [...]
