U.S. manufacturers are surprisingly upbeat about their prospects in 2020, anticipating growth in revenue, profitability, imports and exports. The outlook isn’t so positive for employment and capital expenditures, which will remain flat or decline next year, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s semiannual forecast. Manufacturers expect revenue will grow 4.8 percent next year –…
U.S. factory activity declined for the fourth straight month in July as weakening demand and ongoing trade anxiety weighed on manufacturers. The nation’s leading factory index, the PMI, fell to its lowest point since 2016, dropping by 0.5 percent to a level of 51.2. “This is the fourth straight month of PMI decline without any…
Foreign direct investment (FDI) is often viewed through the same lens as on-shoring or re-shoring. From a nation’s perspective, these activities retain or add jobs. FDI is becoming more important – and more global – to businesses, according to The 2019 A.T. Kearney Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index. Almost four-fifths of respondents expect to increase…
The nation’s leading factory index in April dropped to its lowest level in two years as trade concerns and softening demand increased headwinds on U.S. manufacturers. Whether it’s a one-month event or the beginning of a trend remains unclear. The Institute for Supply Management’s leading index, the PMI, dropped by 2.5 percent in April to…
A gauge of U.S. factory activity topped estimates in March, rebounding from a two-year low on strength in employment, new orders and manufacturing production. The Institute for Supply Management’s PMI reached 55.3 percent in March, a 1.1 percent increase from the prior month. Any number above 50 indicates manufacturing expansion. March made up for ground…
U.S. purchasing and supply executives are entering 2019 with a bit less enthusiasm than 2018, although optimism remains strong for the next calendar year. Sixty-four percent of U.S. manufacturers polled by the Institute for Supply Management expect their revenue will grow by 5.7 percent in 2019, compared with the 5.1 percent increase predicted for 2018.…
U.S.-based supply executives are receiving the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 favorably. The tax reform, signed into law by President Donald Trump in December, will have a positive impact on U.S. manufacturers’ organizational, strategic and tactical considerations, managers said. The Institute for Supply Management conducted a special survey to gauge members’ familiarity…
The pace of U.S. manufacturing growth cooled off a bit in January although overall, domestic production remains solidly in expansion mode. The Institute for Supply Management’s leading indicator, the PMI, reached 59.1 percent in January – one of the highest numbers since December of 2004. Although the PMI slipped 0.2 percentage points from December, any number…
The pace of U.S. factory activity surged in December, propelling the manufacturing industry to its best year since 2004. The Institute for Supply Management’s leading index, the PMI, grew by 1.5 percent to reach 59.7 percent in December. That brought 2017 to an average PMI of 57.6 percent. “This is the second highest number in…
Even as a pro-business tax reform bill awaits its fate, U.S. manufacturers are investing toward growth. Capital expenditures by U.S. factories outpaced expectations in 2017 and will increase further next year. U.S. manufacturers experienced 11 straight months of growth from January through November, driving the nation’s 2017 purchasing index to 57.4 percent from 51.5 last year.…