Manufacturing

Telling stories is what humans do.  No two people have an exact telling about the same event.  Thoughts on the economy are no different.  There is a “Truth” but none of us have the luxury of knowing all.  Instead, we each have our own truths.  These aren’t intentionally deceptive.  Instead, they become manufactured and colored by our own experienc

America’s trade deficit shrank in October 2019 according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  The shortfall improved to $47.2 billion from the revised $51.1 billion (originally $52.5 billion) chasm in September.  While on the surface this indicator looked better, the cause of the improvement is not constructive as both sides of the trade ledger declined in the period. 

America’s economy was split in November 2019 according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).  The nation’s manufacturing base continued to contract, falling for a fourth consecutive period.  However, non-manufacturing pushed its string of expansions further, reaching 118 months of growth in a row.

Industrial production suffered a second consecutive setback in October 2019 according to the Federal Reserve.  After declining 0.3 percent (upwardly revised from minus 0.4 percent), the measure of America’s physical output dropped 0.8 percent.  Likewise, the year-over-year trend was negative for a second month in a row, declining 1.1 percent.

Industrial Production staged a minor comeback in February 2019 after a stumble at the start of the year.  America’s output of all physically made good increased 0.1 percent in the period.  This modest uptick follows the upwardly revised decline of 0.4 percent (originally minus 0.6 percent).

America’s economy continued growing in February 2019 according to two indicators from the Institute for Supply Management.  Each month they survey purchasing managers from firms representing the manufacturing and services segments of the economy.  In this latest survey, each side was well above minimum levels associated with growth. 

America’s economy continued growing in February 2019 according to two indicators from the Institute for Supply Management.  Each month they survey purchasing managers from firms representing the manufacturing and services segments of the economy.  In this latest survey, each side was well above minimum levels associated with growth.