Global manufacturing is expanding at its fastest pace in several years

Global manufacturing is expanding at its fastest pace in several years, with the JP Morgan Global Manufacturing PMI indicating continued growth in February and accompanying PMI-based estimates pointing to global GDP running at roughly a mid-2% annualized pace. The expansion is broad but uneven, with stronger momentum in Asia and parts of Europe compared with slower but still positive conditions in North America.

Consumer Price Index increased 0.3%

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis in February, after rising 0.2 percent in January, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday. Over the last twelve months, the all items index increased 2.4 percent before seasonal adjustment.

US raw steel production down from previous week

In the week ending March 7, 2026, US raw steel production was 1,791,000 net tons at an ACUR of 77.4 percent, down 1.1 percent from the previous week ending February 28, 2026.
Adjusted YTD production through March 7, 2026 was 16, 839,000 net tons at an ACUR of 77.2 percent.

US drill rigs running up from previous week

There were 551 drill rigs running in the US the week ending March 6, 2026, up one rig from the previous week, down forty-one rigs from one year ago. Canadian drillers dropped nine rigs, to205, down twenty-nine rigs from one year ago.

News Headlines

The regime in Iran has chosen Mojotaba Khamenei, the 56 year-old radical son of slain leader Ali Khamenei, to lead the country. Never held political office, but he is a radical like his father. I hope the Israelis find him crawling out from under a rock and dust his ass as well. The good people of Iran do NOT want this regime to continue, that is certain.
The cost of a barrel of oil has doubled, I think it was $115 this morning, but finished the day at around $90. The stock market took a dump also, but the Dow ended up 239, the NASDAQ and S&PP also closed in the green. I will say this, when this is over, fuel prices will drop like a rock. The storage facilities in the middle east are close to full, if not overflowing. The Straits of Hormuz are supposedly closed, but if Iran has no ships and no planes, why are the straits closed? It is because they are using drones, and missiles, I suspect, but I am confident the US and Israeli militaries will quickly solve this problem.
We are nearly two weeks into operation Epic Fury, the Iranians have not cried uncle. They have basically shut the Strait of Hormuz, cutting off about 1/5 of the world’s oil supply. Fortunately, the US is independent of OPEC and all middle eastern fuel, thanks to Trump. I just don’t know where they keep getting weaponry from. This country needs to win a solid victory over this menace to the world. I don’t have the answer other  than more bombs, more drones, more ships, more planes.
ON Thursday, through a spokesman the new Iranian leader, who has not been seen, demanded that airstrikes cease before it entertains cease-fire discussions. What do they have to fight with? Such bullcrap. I would tell him to go fuck himself. We must have ways to flatten that place around the good people of Iran, who want freedom. They do not want another fifty years of oppression. Unconditional surrender is what is required. Unconditional. Keep bombing the hell out of them.

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.”