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…
Buoyed by growth in both new orders and production, the U.S. manufacturing industry expanded for the fifth consecutive month in January, reaching its highest level since 2014. The nation’s leading factory index, the Institute for Supply Management’s PMI, reached 56.0 in January, increasing by 1.5 percent from December’s level of 54.5. The new orders index…