Dodge Momentum Index moves higher in August
The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) rose 7.5% in August after jumping nearly 21% the month prior. The index is now up 30% year-to-date, according to the latest data released by Dodge Construction Network.
Category: Manufacturers/End Users
Construction spending slows in July
Construction spending edged down slightly in July for a third straight month.
Steel Summit: Analysts say demand likely to struggle until 2027
Steel industry analysts at this year's SMU Steel Summit said they see lackluster demand through this year and next.
Chicago Business Barometer drops in August
The Chicago Business Barometer, a leading indicator for the broader US economy, remains in contraction, slipping 5.6 points to 41.5 in August.
Galvanized steel prices slip while demand remains flat: HARDI
Galvanized steel prices dipped to ~$48/hundredweight in August from the $50-59/hundredweight range during the month of July.
North American auto assemblies tumble in July
North American auto assemblies declined in July, down 16.4% vs. August. But, according to GlobalData, assemblies were 2.4% ahead year on year (y/y).
US light-vehicle sales rebound in July
US light-vehicle (LV) sales increased to an unadjusted 1.37 million units in July, 8.7% over June and 6.6% above year-ago totals, according to US Bureau of Economic Analysis data.
Manufacturing in New York state improves again in August
Business activity in New York state improved modestly in August. It was just the second positive reading for the general business conditions index in six months.
Cliffs inks longer-term contracts with US automakers hedging tariff inflation: Report
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. has reportedly signed "unusually long" fixed-price supply agreements with multiple US automakers.
Cliffs CEO reassures of Dearborn restart goal as UAW rallies to 'Save the Rouge'
“We are committed to bring the hot-end back to full operation. The goal is to bring back to work all employees of the currently idled units as soon as we can," Chairman, President, and CEO Lourenco Goncalves said in a letter to colleagues on Wednesday.
North American auto assemblies down in June
North American auto assemblies declined in June, down 10.6% vs. May. And, according to GlobalData, assemblies were 3.1% down year on year (y/y).
Architecture billings still sluggish despite project inquiry uptick
The Architecture Billings Index (ABI), a leading indicator for non-residential construction activity, declined for an eighth straight month in June.
Manufacturing in New York state recovers in July
Business activity in New York state recovered slightly in July, with the Empire State Manufacturing Index seeing its first positive reading in four months.
Dodge Momentum Index reaches record high in June
The Dodge Momentum Index (DMI) increased again in June, setting a record reading. The surprise result follows three months of little to no growth, according to the latest data released by Dodge Construction Network. Both institutional and commercial projects accelerated in June, further improving the nonresidential construction market. The May DMI rose to 225.1, a […]
ISM: Manufacturing growth slowed again in June
US manufacturing activity slowed for a fourth straight month in June. That's a sharp shift after trending up for most of Q1.
GE Appliances announces $490M reshoring project in Kentucky
GE Appliances announces $490-million reshoring project in Kentucky.
SMU Community Chat: Construction at risk from tariffs, immigration policy, federal cuts
“Contractors say that they're still busy, but their order books have gotten a lot softer or a lot more uncertain,” said Ken Simonson, chief economist for The Associated General Contractors of America.
Whirlpool says tariffs will bolster business
“Economically, the business case for products made in the us has become a lot more attractive," the CEO told Fox Business.
GM announces $4B investment in US production plants
GM looks to invest $4 billion in its US operations.
New vehicle sales fall in May
New light vehicle sales slumped in May to 15.6 million as the buying rush faded from consumers signing ahead tariff increases.
House committee blocks GOP budget proposal
The budget proposal has big implications for steel and manufacturing.
Auto growth to slow amid tariff uncertainty
CRU Group revised down its forecast for North American auto production by about 800,000 to 14.7 million this year.
Supply chain issue temporarily halts Ford assembly plant
Ford Motor Co. started a planned outage early at its Chicago assembly plant due to a supply chain issue.
CRU: Tariffs set to dampen global auto growth
The recently announced US tariffs on vehicles and key components from all markets are expected to significantly disrupt global production.
Mercedes-Benz wants to make another vehicle in the US
Mercedes-Benz is planning to move production of a “core segment vehicle” to Tuscaloosa, Ala., by 2027.
Trump plans to relax some auto tariffs
It's just the latest change for US trade policy
North American auto assemblies up again in March
After a hard drop in December — the worst since July 2021 — assembly numbers have climbed three months in a row. Sentiment remains tempered, though.
Volvo plans to lay off up to 800 workers at US truck plants
The company cited uncertainty about freight rates and demand, regulatory changes and the impact of tariffs.
Tariff fallout: Canada strikes back, Stellantis idles, GM boosts production
Canada imposes auto tariffs, while automaker Stellantis temporarily idles some plants.
Price on Trade: Auto tariffs, auto parts, and Hyundai – a world of rapid changes
Trump's new auto tariffs will apply to passenger vehicles (including sedans, sport utility vehicles, crossover utility vehicles, minivans, and cargo vans), light trucks, and certain automobile parts (including engines and engine parts, transmissions and powertrain parts, and electrical components).