The Obama Administration hopes to put $1 billion towards the future of manufacturing, with an emphasis on areas like 3D printing — which is gaining more traction in the medical industry.
Manufacturing activity fell last month in China for the first time in almost a year. This follows a string of other bad news when it comes to the Chinese economy.
Caterpillar reports earnings today, and few expect the company to show much strength. The heavy equipment maker has been doing well, but that looks to change.
There's news this morning that folks who do the ordering at factories are increasingly wary. The Markit U.S. Purchasing Managers Index was a disappointment, its worst showing since late 2010.