Consumer confidence soared in October as the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Composite Index rose 5.3 points to 125.9 to reach its highest level in 17 years. The composite index three month moving average (3MMA) measured 122.3, up 1.6 points month on month (m/m). On a year over year comparison, the composite index was up 25%. [...]
New orders for durable goods orders surprised to the upside coming in at 2.2% in September. The change this month was mainly in the non-defense aircraft segment which surged by double digits. Additionally, the critical non-defense capital goods orders, (which exclude the volatile defense and aircraft segments) posted a 1.3% increase month on month, (m/m) [...]
The pace of U.S. economic growth accelerated in September as evidenced by the increased score of the CFNAI. The CFNAI moved-up 0.17 in September after a disappointing -0.37 in August. On a three month moving average, (3MMA) basis the CFNAI remained in negative territory, scoring -0.16, the same score as last month. On a monthly [...]
Worldsteel Association (WSA) reports that global crude steel production totaled 141.43 million tonnes (Mt) at a capacity utilization rate, (CUR) of 73.5% in September. On a year on year, (y/y) comparison, global crude steel production in September increased by 4.91 Mt as the capacity utilization rate rose 5.0 percentage points. On a three month moving [...]
The total tonnage for the week ending October 21st was 1,731 million tons, (Mt) at a capacity utilization rate of 74.3%. On a four moving average, (4WMA) basis, tonnage output was also 1,731 Mt, at a capacity utilization rate of 74.3%. This week’s 4WMA was 8.4% higher than for the same period last year when [...]
Data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), shows that total light (cars and light truck/SUVs), vehicle sales in August were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, (SAAR) of 16.463 million (M), units, down 64,000 units or 3.7% from July. On a three month moving average (3MMA), basis, sales were tracking at 16.859M, down 1.2% [...]
Manufacturing capacity utilization (MCU), scored a 75.1% in September, flat month on month, (m/m). On a year on year (y/y) comparison MCU was up 0.7%. According to the Federal Reserve, the current rate of MCU is 3.3 percentage points below its long term average. The aftermath of hurricane Harvey continued to impact the production of [...]
SBQ final imports to the U.S. were up 19.7% year to date (YTD), year on year (y/y), totaling 356,128 tons for the eight months ending August 2017. August SBQ imports came in at 37,704, 15.3% lower than the 44,516 ton YTD average volume. Figure 1 charts the largest exporting countries in rank order on a [...]
Wire rod final imports to the U.S. were up 9.6% year to date (YTD), year on year (y/y), totaling 1,414,511 tons for the eight months ending August 2017. August’s tonnage recorded 151,916 tons, 14.1% lower than the YTD average volume of 176,814 tons Figure 1 charts the largest exporting countries in rank order on a [...]
Merchant final imports to the U.S. were flat year to date (YTD), year on year (y/y), totaling 378,068 tons for the eight months ending August 2017. August merchant imports came in at 37,091 tons, 21.5% less than the 47,259 ton YTD average volume. Figure 1 charts the largest exporting countries in rank order on a [...]
