July data signalled a further rebound in business conditions across the U.S. manufacturing sector, led by a robust expansion of incoming new work and the fastest upturn in production volumes for eight months. Job creation also strengthened in July, with the latest increase in payroll numbers the fastest seen over the past 12 months. At the same time, input cost inflation edged up to its strongest since November 2014 but factory gate prices rose only marginally.
Markit U.S. Manufacturing PMI (seasonally adjusted)
At 52.9 in July, up from 51.3 in June, the seasonally adjusted Markit Flash U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI™)[1] pointed to a solid improvement in overall business conditions. Moreover, the headline index continued to recover from its post-crisis low seen in May, with the latest reading the strongest since October 2015. Faster rises in output, new orders and employment were the key positive influences in July, while sustained inventory cutbacks acted as a drag on the PMI.
Higher levels of manufacturing production have now been recorded for the past two months, with the latest expansion the fastest since November 2015. Survey respondents commented on strong sales growth, the launch of new products and generally favourable domestic economic conditions. Some firms noted that weak demand from the energy sector and uncertainty related to the presidential election remained growth headwinds.
Manufacturing output
Manufacturing employment
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