Cutting tools ordered up 17.1% year-over-year
Cutting tools ordered up 17.1% year-over-year. Manufacturers ordered $215 million worth of cutting tools to close out 2025, up 17.1% year-over-year, despite declining automotive output and weakness in other markets. American Machinist
CFNAI increased in January 2026
The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) increased to +0.18 in January from -0.21 in December. All four broad categories of indicators used to construct the index increased from December, and two categories made positive contributions in January, the index’s three-month moving average (CFNAI-MA3) increased to -0.06 in January from -0.29 in December.
US raw steel production up from previous week
In the week ending February 21, 2026, US raw steel production was 1,817,000 net tons at an ACUR of 78.5 percent, up 0.9 percent from the previous week ending February 14, 2026.
Adjusted YTD production through February 21, 2026 was 13,174,000 net tons at an ACUR of 76.7 percent.
Texas factory activity continued to rise in February 2026
The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas released its Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey results and reports Texas factory activity continued to rise in February, according to business executives responding to the survey. The production index, a key measure of state manufacturing conditions, was largely unchanged at 12.5, a reading suggestive of an above-average pace of output expansion. Perceptions of broader business conditions were stable in February, and expectations are for increased manufacturing activity six months from now.
US drill rigs running unchanged from previous week
There were 551 drill rigs running in the US last week, no change from the previous week. Down forty-one rigs from one year ago. Meanwhile, Canadian drillers added two rigs, to 224, down twenty rigs from one year ago.
The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased by 2.2 points in February to 91.2, from an upwardly revised 89.0 in January.
Manufacturing Outlook Survey reposts activity slowed in February
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond released its Fifth District Manufacturing Outlook Survey results and reposts manufacturing activity slowed somewhat in February, the composite manufacturing index decreased to -10 in February from -6 in January. All three of its component indexes fell in February.
US mortgage rates dropped to lowest leven in several years
US mortgage rates dropped to 5.98% Thursday, their lowest level in several years. This will give a boost to the housing market, and I am sure it is headed lower still. I bought a home last year and I believe I am at or just under 8%, I will keep my powder dry for awhile before refinancing to a lower rate.
The Chicago Business Barometer, climbed 3.7 points to 57.7 in February
The Chicago Business Barometer, climbed 3.7 points to 57.7 in February, extending January’s strong increase, it saw a consecutive month in expansionary territory after a run of twenty-five months below the key 50 mark. The rise was driven by increases in Production, Employment, New Orders and Supplier Deliveries.
News Headlines
Last Friday SCOTUS ruled against the Trump Tariffs basically saying he violated the separation of powers outlined in the Constitution. Naturally, the leftists threw a party, but as usual, they pissed on their feet-again. The Trump Administration has
other avenues available with which to levy tariffs and the president immediately imposed a 15% import tariff on all goods coming into the USA. They can piss on their feet all they want, they will not put out the fire.
In another weekend beauty,
both the women’s and the men’ Olympic hockey teams beat Canada to win gold medals for Team USA on Sunday. What a way to finish the games! USA! USA! USA!
Last night, Tuesday, the
President gave his State of the Union address to the nation, he spoke for close to two hours. I think seventy Democrats boycotted and held their own little liberal displays-dressed as frogs, apparently in a swamp. How ridiculous. Those that showed were disrespectful to honored guests and the president, he rightly called them out for it. What childish behavior from elected representatives. These people have truly lost their way. He called out the Somali theft in Minneapolis and of course Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib lost their minds, shouting rude remarks at the president, as is their nature. How they continue to get elected is beyond me. We know how, Minnesota is little Somalia. Ridiculous.
Anyway, I thought his speech was good, he outlined his achievements over the past year and proposed plans for moving forward in a positive manner. There are a lot more good things happening than the folks are aware of.
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN
“KEEP AMERICA GREAT”
Have a great weekend…. God bless America!
Buy American made products whenever you can, it’s good for you, good for your friends and neighbors and good for our country.
If you are hiring…try to hire a veteran…. they are loyal, disciplined, hardworking…and they deserve our support.
By the way, if you wish to comment on my rants or offer any other insights you may have, you are encouraged to email me.
TEDDY ROOSEVELT ON IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA…1907
In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag…We have room for but one language here and that is the English language…and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”
admin2026-03-11T16:36:20-04:00
