Category: Economy

The Manufacturing PMI registered 50.3% in February. That’s 0.6 percentage points lower compared to the 50.9% recorded in January.

The Chicago Business Barometer rose to an eight-month high in February. Despite the recovery, the measure continues to indicate deteriorating business conditions, as it has for over a year.

New orders gained 3.1%, reaching $286.0 billion, according to the US Census Bureau.

Architecture firms continued to report a sharp reduction in billings in January, according to the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI) released by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Deltek.

Business activity in New York state’s manufacturing sector recovered nicely in February after a sharp decline the previous month, according to the latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The general business conditions index rose 18 points to 5.7. This is a diffusion index, where a positive reading signifies […]

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) rose to a record high in January, according to the latest data released by Dodge Construction Network.

Targets include coal, liquified natural gas, crude oil, and other commodities

Following more than two years of contraction, US manufacturing activity rebounded in January according to the Institute for Supply Management.

Steel and aluminum have been identified as high priorities for trade

Despite the gain, the index remains below both the levels of November 2024 and the 2024 average.

The Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA) has urged Canada to engage with the US administration to avoid the tariffs threatened by the Trump administration by Feb. 1. “The imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods will have an incredibly disruptive impact on our integrated North American supply chains and on our workers and their families,” François […]

The Trump administration has backed off tariffs on Colombia after the White House said the leader of the Latin American nation agreed to President Trump’s demands. “The Government of Colombia has agreed to President Trump’s terms, including the unrestricted acceptance of illegal aliens from Colombia returned from the United States… without limitation or delay,” according […]

Day One of the second Trump administration did not bring tariffs, but it did signal that tariffs, and other major trade actions, are not far off.

Architecture firms reported a sharp reduction in billings in December, according to the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI) released by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Deltek.

Recent Federal Reserve data indicates that the US manufacturing sector remains healthy and stable. The strength of the manufacturing economy has a direct relationship to the health of the steel industry.

In this Premium analysis we cover North American oil and natural gas prices, drilling rig activity, and crude oil stock levels. Trends in energy prices and active rig counts are leading demand indicators for oil country tubular goods (OCTG), line pipe and other steel products.

“Price increases, while subdued, picked up,” Richard Deitz, Economic Research Advisor at the New York Fed. “Firms grew more optimistic that conditions would improve in the months ahead.”

Economic activity across the US experienced slight to moderate growth at the end of 2024, while manufacturing activity showed a slight decline

AGC said Trump should be “sparing” in imposing new tariffs and exclude products needed for domestic manufacturing, energy and infrastructure.

Improved growth in data center planning and warehousing projects helped the Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) rebound in December.

“U.S. manufacturing activity contracted again in December, but at a slower rate compared to November,” according to Timothy Fiore, chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

Construction spending inched higher in November for a second straight month.

The December reading of 36.9 declined 3.3 points from the previous month to the lowest reading since May 2024.

“Manufacturers are optimistic,” said Timothy R. Fiore, chair of ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

Following a substantial recovery in November, business activity in New York state’s manufacturing sector held steady in December, according to the latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

Vedoya said the proposed tariffs are "an irrational measure that would harm both their own industry and ours."

The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) slid further in November as planning for data centers and warehouses continued to decline.

Still, many businesses noted increased sensitivity to prices and quality among customers.

“We are under constant threat from nonmarket economies who evade our trade laws," SMA said.

US manufacturing activity contracted again in November for the eighth consecutive month.