Manufacturing capacity utilization (MCU), scored a 75.87% in June, up 0.3% month on month, (m/m), its second monthly increase for the year. On a year on year (y/y) comparison the MCU was a modest 0.44%. Manufacturing fundamentals continue to improve. Both the U.S. and global economy are strengthening and at the same time, the dollar [...]
The total number of operating rigs in the U.S. the week as of July 12th was 784 oil and 172 gas (totaling 956). In percentage terms, on a month on month, (m/m) basis, oil rigs were down 0.5% and gas down 5.0%. On a year on year, (y/y) comparison, rigs were down 9.2% for oil [...]
The June Industrial production, (IP) report remains flat MoM for the month at 109.6. On a year on year, (y/y) basis, the IP index was up 2.0%. Prospects for continued growth in 2018 look promising indeed as companies will see a 14% decline in the corporate tax rate. An additional major benefit is the allowance [...]
The U.S. Census Bureau reported that; new orders for durable goods orders decreased by 1.3% month on month, (m/m) in May, following the 2.8% decrease in April. The always-volatile nondefense aircraft orders, decreasing 28.2% m/m and 39.4% y/y influenced this trend significantly. The Advance Report on Durable Goods (DG), provides statistics on manufacturers' value of [...]
The total tonnage for the week ending July 6th was 1,847 million tons, (Mt) at a capacity utilization rate of 79.4%. The first time the capacity utilization has been under 80 percent since the week of January 12th, 2019. The year to date tonnage output is 51,366 Mt, at an average capacity utilization rate of [...]
On a three month moving average, (3MMA) basis, May total carbon steel shipments averaged 143,800 tons per day, compared to 155,400 tons per day in May 2018 (-7.5 % year on year, YoY). Overall carbon steel inventory is down 6.0% YoY. Figure 1 shows percentage change results for shipments, daily intake and inventory level. In [...]
Total U.S. construction spending continued to perform well in May 2019, especially in the state and local sector. Census Bureau non-seasonally adjusted (NSA), constant dollar CPIP data showed that May’s twelve month total, (12MT) construction expenditures grew by 4.0% year on year (y/y), to $1307.0 billion (B). On a 12MT basis, private expenditures advanced 2.2% [...]
The Institute for Supply Management’s non-manufacturing composite index decreased by 1.8 points month on month, (-3.2% MoM) to 55.1 in June. The ISM nonmanufacturing survey measures the rate and direction of change in activity in nonmanufacturing industries. Surveys are sent to more than 370 purchasing managers in 17 industries. Survey responses reflect the change in [...]
May’s ABI national overall score of 50.2 was down 0.3 points from April’s 50.5, but still in the expansionary zone, (>50). U.S. architecture firms with emphasis on commercial and industrial architect reported exceptional strong billings. Regionally activity was stronger in the Midwest and South. The new design contracts index decreased by 1.2 points to 50.9. [...]
The Institute of Supply Management’s Index moved down 0.4 points on month, (m/m) to 51.7 for June 2019. This value is an encouraging sign for the manufacturing sector. The index has been greater than 50, (>50 = expansion) for thirty-three consecutive months. The new orders sub-index scored a 52.7. Overall, the ISM manufacturing index is strong [...]
