BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Manufacturing Index rises in January, but still reflects weak conditions ]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/02/manufacturing-index-rises-in-january-but-still-reflects-weak-co/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/02/manufacturing-index-rises-in-january-but-still-reflects-weak-co/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/02/02/manufacturing-index-rises-in-january-but-still-reflects-weak-co/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In economics, as in broader statistical analysis, researchers caution against reading too much into any one data point.

The reasons are obvious enough: anomalies occur, preliminary statistics are often revised and trends take months, if not quarters, to form.

With the above as a backdrop, January's Institute for Supply Management index was a mild positive, nudging higher to 35.6 from 32.9 in December.

An ISM reading below 50 indicates a contraction; above 50, an expansion. The ISM had fallen for the past year, and has been below the 50 demarcation level since February 2008. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News had expected the index to drop to 32.6 in January.

Continue reading Manufacturing Index rises in January, but still reflects weak conditions

Manufacturing Index rises in January, but still reflects weak conditions originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Institute for Supply ManagementinthenewsISMmanufacturing sectorMon, 02 Feb 2009 11:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Industrial production rises 0.1% in January, in-line with estimate]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/15/industrial-production-rises-0-1-in-january-in-line-with-estima/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/15/industrial-production-rises-0-1-in-january-in-line-with-estima/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/02/15/industrial-production-rises-0-1-in-january-in-line-with-estima/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Industrial production increased 0.1% in January 2008 for the second consecutive month, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced Friday, in a statement. The statistic was in-line with economists' consensus estimate.

Meanwhile, the December 2007 output was revised to a 0.1% increase, up from the previous estimate of 0.0%.

At 114.2% of its 2002 average, overall industrial production was 2.3% above its January 2007 level, the Fed said.

In addition, capacity utilization -- which indicates the percent of industrial resources in service -- was unchanged from the prior month's revised percentage of 81.5%. At 81.5%, capacity utilization is 0.4 percentage points above its year-ago level and 0.5 percentage points above its 1972-2007 average. Capacity utilization has averaged about 81% over the last three decades: higher utilization rates suggest upward pressure on prices is likely in the months ahead.

Continue reading Industrial production rises 0.1% in January, in-line with estimate

Industrial production rises 0.1% in January, in-line with estimate originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 15 Feb 2008 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>capacity utilizationGDPindustrial productioninthenewsmanufacturing sectorU.S. economyU.S. Federal ReserveFri, 15 Feb 2008 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Manufacturing contracts to weakest level since April 2003]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/02/manufacturing-sector-contracts-to-weakest-level-since-april-2003/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/02/manufacturing-sector-contracts-to-weakest-level-since-april-2003/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/01/02/manufacturing-sector-contracts-to-weakest-level-since-april-2003/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The nation's factory sector contacted in December 2007 to its weakest level since April 2003, the Institute of Supply Management announced Wednesday. The ISM index fell to 47.8% in December 2007 from 50.8% in November 2007. Readings below 50% indicate a contracting industrial sector. Analysts had expected a December 2007 ISM reading of 50.9%.

In all, only seven of 18 industrial segments expanded. Moreover, economic activity in the manufacturing sector failed to grow in December 2007 after 10 consecutive months of expansion, while the overall economy grew for the 74th consecutive month, the ISM announced.

Disappointing statistic

Economist Steve Affinito told BloggingStocks Wednesday that the ISM statistic will place more pressure on the U.S. Federal Reserve to continue to cut short-term interest rates.

"It's a disappointing statistic, no question. We were looking for something slightly north of [above] 50% and a reading below 50%, that has to concern the Fed. It's just one month but it indicates that manufacturing is contracting, and at minimum is likely to grow to slowly," Affinito said. "The Fed will have to cut interest rates at least two more times to help prevent an economic stall. The December ISM stat is not a number the Fed hawks can ignore."

Continue reading Manufacturing contracts to weakest level since April 2003

Manufacturing contracts to weakest level since April 2003 originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FedGDPindustryInstitute of Supply ManagementinthenewsISMmanufacturing sectorManufacturingSectorrecessionU.S. economyU.S. Federal ReserveWed, 02 Jan 2008 12:44:00 EST