Texas production index increased six points in August
Texas production index increased six points to 16.1, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey for August. It reports Texas manufacturing output growth accelerated in the month, according to executives responding to the survey. The production index, a key measure of state manufacturing conditions, increased six points to 16.1.
Other measures of manufacturing activity also pointed to faster growth this month. The new orders index jumped, the capacity utilization index increased, and the shipments index increased. Perceptions of broader business conditions improved in August. The general business activity index increased, and the company outlook index improved further.
US raw steel production down from previous week
In the week ending August 29, 2026, US raw steel production was 1,818,000 net tons at an ACUR of 78.7 percent. This is down 1.6 percent from the previous week ending August 22, 2026.
Adjusted YTD production through August 29, 2026 was 62,829,000 net tons at an ACUR of 79.0 percent.
Chicago Business Barometer dropped 10.5 points to 476.1 in August
The Chicago Business Barometer dropped 10.5 points to 476.1 in August. The Barometer is below the neutral 50 level for the first time since April and at its lowest since December.
US drill rigs running no change from prior week
As of September 4, 2026, there were 588 drill rigs running in the US, no change from the prior week, up 51 rigs from one year ago. Canadian drillers shuttered seven rigs, to 204, up twenty-three rigs from one year ago.
HAVE A GREAT LABOR DAY WEEKEND!
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What a tragedy in Nepal. We all pray for lives injured and those lost. The fact is we live on a dangerous and hostile planet. There are objects coming through the atmosphere every day, many devastating impacts have occurred in earth’s history. Along with extra terrestrial possibilities, consider the active volcanoes and tectonic plate activity occurring every moment of each day, and the weather is another major factor as can be attested to by the events in Nepal. Tornadoes, hurricanes, cyclones, bad storms, lightning etc. Somehow we have survived them all, the loss of life is tragic and I believe we learn something from each event, but it doesn’t lessen the pain or the tragedy.
Gloria Steinem, the feminist trailblazer has passed at 92. RIP.
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.”
