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Manufacturing sector contracts for 13th straight month, but construction spending is up

Dec 1, 2023
The Institute for Supply Management’s Purchasing Managers Index showed worse-than-expected performance for manufacturing, but construction growth shone.
“The housing market is poised for gains for 2024," said Danushka Nanayakkara at the National Association of Home Builders.
Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

Manufacturing slows, but economy remains robust

Aug 3, 2023
Manufacturing slowed in July, but consumer demand and a strong service sector are shoring up the U.S. economy.
Furniture was one of the few growing sectors in July's manufacturing PMI report.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The U.S. economy tries to find its happy place

Jan 5, 2022
IHS Markit's Purchasing Managers' Indexes for services and manufacturing are a mixed bag.
Observers have attributed freight trains' service shortfalls to both pandemic-related stresses and cost-cutting to please investors.
Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty images

For 2012, "cautious" optimism abounds

Jan 2, 2012
Today's data on global manufacturing was better than expected. Combine that with slightly better numbers on unemployment and housing last month, and analysts think the economy is, well, better.