WASHINGTON—U.S. manufacturing activity heated up in July to a two-year high in the second straight month of growth, according to a monthly index compiled by the Institute for Supply Management.
WASHINGTON—New orders for big-ticket U.S.-manufactured goods rose 4.2 percent in June, led by demand for aircraft. Orders for durable goods rose to $244.5 billion, an increase of $9.9 billion from May, the Commerce Department said. Analysts had predicted a much smaller 1.8 percent increase on average.
NEW YORK—The domestic economic outlook among U.S. manufacturers is at its highest level in five quarters, according to the PWC Manufacturing Barometer survey. The majority of manufacturing executives surveyed expect revenue growth in 2013.
WASHINGTON—The Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation announced that its quarterly index of manufacturing activity advanced to 58 in June from 56 in March. It was the second straight quarterly advance after 10 consecutive quarterly declines. For the past 15 quarters, the index has remained above the threshold of 50, the dividing line separating contraction and expansion.
WASHINGTON—Orders to American factories rose 2.1 percent in May, helped by a third straight month of stronger business investment. The gains suggest that manufacturing may be picking up after a weak start to the year.
WASHINGTON—The purchasing managers index for manufacturing rose to 50.9 in June, up 1.9 points from May. According to the Institute for Supply Management, a PMI reading above 50 indicates expansion, while one below reflects contraction.
WASHINGTON—Orders for airplanes, computers and other long-lasting durable goods rose more than expected in May—3.6 percent—the third increase in four months and a sign of strengthening in the vital manufacturing sector.
MILWAUKEE—U.S. employers reported a boost in confidence as the percent of employers planning to add staff, 22 percent, has reached a four-year high, according to the latest Manpower Employment Outlook Survey.
WASHINGTON—For 2013 as a whole, manufacturing production should increase 3.1 percent from 2012, according to the Manufacturing Alliance for Productivity and Innovation. Manufacturing is predicted to grow 3.6 percent in 2014, 0.8 percentage points faster than the overall economy.
MIAMI, FL—U.S. manufacturers are targeting an aggressive 1.5 percent reduction in cost of goods sold for 2013 in an effort to drive margin growth, according to a new study from The Hackett Group Inc.