Category: business activity

US Business Activity Declines for Seventh Month in a Row as Recession Looms

Business activity in the United States contracted for the seventh consecutive month in January, with both manufacturing and service sectors remaining in the red for the month, suggesting a downturn in economic activity. The S&P Flash U.S. PMI Composite Output Index for January came in at 46.6, up from 45 at the end of 2022,…


America’s Business Activity Slump Deepens as Manufacturing and Services Contract More Than Expected

Business activity in the United States fell in November for the fifth consecutive month, with the manufacturing and service sectors registering declines according to a recent report by S&P Global. The Flash US PMI Composite Output Index was at 46.3 in November, down from 48.2 at the beginning of the fourth quarter, according to a…


Yellen Doesn’t ‘See Signs of a Recession’ as Another Business Activity Gauge Drops Into Recession Zone

Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen does not believe there are any signs of the U.S. economy slipping into a recession, despite the fact that business activity indicators have been signaling dismal performance. “I don’t see signs of a recession in this economy at this point … We have unemployment at a 50-year low. There…


US Business Activity Deteriorates Even Faster as Biden Touts ‘Historically Strong’ Economic Recovery

U.S. business activity contracted for the fourth straight month in October, and the economic downturn “gathered significant momentum,” S&P Global said on Monday, while the White House touted low unemployment rates and credited President Joe Biden’s economic agenda for a “historically strong” economic recovery. The S&P Global flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index, which tracks the manufacturing…


US Business Activity Deteriorates Faster as Biden Touts ‘Historically Strong’ Economic Recovery

U.S. business activity contracted for the fourth straight month in October, and the economic downturn “gathered significant momentum,” S&P Global said on Monday, while the White House touted low unemployment rates and credited President Joe Biden’s economic agenda for a “historically strong” economic recovery. The S&P Global flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index, which tracks the manufacturing…


Eurozone Business Activity Contracted in July as Price Rises Bite: PMI

LONDON—Eurozone business activity unexpectedly contracted this month due to an accelerating downturn in manufacturing and a near-stalling of service sector growth as burgeoning costs pushed consumers to cut back on expenditure, a survey showed. S&P Global’s flash Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), seen as a good gauge of overall economic health, fell to 49.4 in…


US Business Activity Rises to Eight-Month High in March: Survey

WASHINGTON—A measure of U.S. business activity increased to an eight-month high in March, fueled by strong demand for both goods and services, but Russia’s war against Ukraine hurt sentiment. S&P Global said on Thursday its flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index, which tracks the manufacturing and services sectors, rose to a reading of 58.5 this…


Business Activity Growth Hits 12-Month Low on Supply Hold-Ups and Capacity Shortages

Business activity in the United States in September grew at its slowest monthly pace in 12 months, with supply chain hold-ups and capacity shortages hampering growth. Data firm IHS Markit said on Sept. 23 that its flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index (pdf)—which tracks the manufacturing and services sectors—retreated to a reading of 54.5 in…


US Manufacturing Activity Ticks Up, Beating Forecasts: ISM

Strong order growth in America’s manufacturing sector pushed the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) factory activity gauge above forecasts, though a measure of factory employment fell to a nine-month low as firms reported difficulties hiring workers. At the same time, while the ISM’s prices paid by manufacturers gauge saw a decline in August, suggesting a softening…


Business Activity Growth Slows on Supply Crunch, Hiring Woes: IHS Report

A new report shows U.S. business activity growth slowed for a third straight month in August, weighed down by supply chain disruption, hiring woes, and softer consumer demand linked to the spread of the Delta variant. Data firm IHS Markit said in an Aug. 23 report (pdf) that its flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index,…