Manufacturing capacity utilization (MCU), scored a 75.4% in February, a relatively flat % change month on month, (m/m). On a year on year (y/y) comparison the MCU was down 0.45%. Manufacturing fundamentals continue to improve. Both the U.S. and global economy are strengthening and at the same time, the dollar has depreciated against the Broad [...]
The Consumer confidence index rolled-back 7.3 points in March according to the Conference Board. The index now stands at 124.1. Despite the decline, the index remains at elevated levels with a positive trend line. On the other-hand, the labor market continues to show impressive gains and workers remain confident about their future. On a year [...]
The February Industrial production landed at 109.7, which was relatively flat MoM at 0.1%. This is encouraging after the change in January, which was downwards of 0.4%. These latest numbers released by the Federal Reserve continue to support the moderate growth within the U.S. economy. Industrial production is a pure measure of output, untainted by [...]
In February 2019 there were 150.606 million (M), an increase of 0.21% month on month, (m/m). Figure 1 shows manufacturing and construction employment on the same chart from 2005 to present. Both manufacturing and construction employment are showing growth, construction is growing at a faster rate on a percentage basis. The SA manufacturing sector employed [...]
For the month of February total carbon steel shipments monthly shipments decreased 6.4% year on year, (y/y). Table 1 shows percentage change results for shipments, daily intake and inventory level. In all cases the percentage change references 3MMA y/y. For shipments and inventory, three columns of data are listed offering 12, 24 and 36 month [...]
Worldsteel Association (WSA) reports that global crude steel production totaled 146.7 million tonnes (Mt) at a capacity utilization rate, (CUR) of 76.2% in January. On a year on year, (y/y) comparison, global crude steel production in October decreased by 3.79 Mt as the capacity utilization rate remained flat in percentage points. On a three month [...]
The total tonnage for the week ending March 9th was 1,941 million tons, (Mt) at a capacity utilization rate of 83.4%, which is the sixth consecutive month where the utilization has been over 80%. For the year of 2019, total tonnage output was 19,025Mt, at an average capacity utilization rate of 81.3%. In 2018, the [...]
The Institute for Supply Management’s non-manufacturing composite index decreased by 1.3 of a point month on month, (m/m) to a strong 59.7 in February. The indexes remain strong in 2019, up 2.3% 3MMA y/y. The advance in the index points to continued growth in the nonmanufacturing segment as the fundamentals remain strong for the sector. [...]
The Institute of Supply Management’s Index moved up 1.6 points month on month, (m/m) to 54.2 for February 2019. This continues the trend of the index being greater than 50, (>50 = expansion), now for 30 consecutive months. The new orders sub-index scored a 55.2. Overall, the manufacturing activity expanded at a slower rate than expected [...]
Total U.S. construction spending continued to perform well in December, especially in the state and local sector. Census Bureau non-seasonally adjusted (NSA), constant dollar CPIP data showed that December’s twelve month total, (12MT) construction expenditures grew by 5.6% year on year (y/y), to $1297.6 billion (B). On a 12MT basis, private expenditures advanced 4.6% y/y, [...]
