14Wheeler
Seasoned Expediter
By BEN CASSELMAN. WSJ April
Demand from U.S. consumers is keeping American factories humming—and also is helping offset softer demand affecting factories in other parts of the world.
The U.S. manufacturing sector picked up steam in March, the Institute for Supply Management said Monday, as a broad cross-section of industries reported rising production and strong orders for coming months. The ISM's purchasing managers' index rose last month to 53.4 from 52.4 in February; readings above the 50.0 level indicate growth rather than contraction. The report's new orders index, an indicator of activity in coming months, ticked down slightly in March to 54.5 from 54.9 the previous month.
Sortable Chart: Global Factory Activity
Analysis: Strong U.S. Factory Data
The ISM report, which marked the 32nd consecutive month of growth for the manufacturing sector, echoed other recent reports that have shown rising confidence and increased spending among American consumers.
The strength of the U.S. stands in stark contrast to weakness in much of the rest of the world, especially Europe. Manufacturing activity in the 17-country euro zone hit a three-month low in March, research firm Markit Economics said Monday. The pain seems to be spreading from long-troubled economies such as Greece and Spain to perennial powerhouses such as Germany, which saw its manufacturing sector contract slightly in March.
China, meanwhile, is sending mixed signals. Semi-official data from the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing on Sunday showed the manufacturing sector growing at a faster pace in March. But those numbers routinely have spiked in March, which many analysts attribute to seasonal quirks.
A separate report from Markit and HSBC, which many experts consider more reliable, showed the sector contracting at an accelerating rate. Both reports, however, show that Chinese manufacturing growth has at a minimum slowed from a year ago.
This much is clear: The global picture would be far bleaker without the recent improvement in the U.S. Markit noted that stronger U.S. demand was helping offset weaker Chinese orders for German products, and that Italian manufacturers reported new business from American customers. China, facing sharply lower demand in Europe and a softening domestic market, is increasingly reliant on American consumers.
You're correct Ken. There are indicators suggesting improvement
And you ain't gonna convert those fanaticals. Theyre gonna be crying doom and gloom for ever. Spending all that effort hating , and spewing that over-the-top fanatical talk. Reminds me of those door knockers.....trying to save me.
Demand from U.S. consumers is keeping American factories humming—and also is helping offset softer demand affecting factories in other parts of the world.
The U.S. manufacturing sector picked up steam in March, the Institute for Supply Management said Monday, as a broad cross-section of industries reported rising production and strong orders for coming months. The ISM's purchasing managers' index rose last month to 53.4 from 52.4 in February; readings above the 50.0 level indicate growth rather than contraction. The report's new orders index, an indicator of activity in coming months, ticked down slightly in March to 54.5 from 54.9 the previous month.
Sortable Chart: Global Factory Activity
Analysis: Strong U.S. Factory Data
The ISM report, which marked the 32nd consecutive month of growth for the manufacturing sector, echoed other recent reports that have shown rising confidence and increased spending among American consumers.
The strength of the U.S. stands in stark contrast to weakness in much of the rest of the world, especially Europe. Manufacturing activity in the 17-country euro zone hit a three-month low in March, research firm Markit Economics said Monday. The pain seems to be spreading from long-troubled economies such as Greece and Spain to perennial powerhouses such as Germany, which saw its manufacturing sector contract slightly in March.
China, meanwhile, is sending mixed signals. Semi-official data from the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing on Sunday showed the manufacturing sector growing at a faster pace in March. But those numbers routinely have spiked in March, which many analysts attribute to seasonal quirks.
A separate report from Markit and HSBC, which many experts consider more reliable, showed the sector contracting at an accelerating rate. Both reports, however, show that Chinese manufacturing growth has at a minimum slowed from a year ago.
This much is clear: The global picture would be far bleaker without the recent improvement in the U.S. Markit noted that stronger U.S. demand was helping offset weaker Chinese orders for German products, and that Italian manufacturers reported new business from American customers. China, facing sharply lower demand in Europe and a softening domestic market, is increasingly reliant on American consumers.
You're correct Ken. There are indicators suggesting improvement
And you ain't gonna convert those fanaticals. Theyre gonna be crying doom and gloom for ever. Spending all that effort hating , and spewing that over-the-top fanatical talk. Reminds me of those door knockers.....trying to save me.
