Features

January manufacturing still contracting, shows some improvement: ISM
Written by David Schollaert
February 6, 2024
Domestic manufacturing activity continued to draw back in January, receding for the 15th straight month, according to the latest Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing PMI report.
The ISM Manufacturing PMI registered 49.1% in January, up two percentage points from 47.1% reported in December. A reading above 50 indicates the manufacturing economy is growing, while a reading below 50 indicates contraction. The last time it was above 50 was in October 2022 when the reading was 50.2, the report said.
“The US manufacturing sector continued to contract, though at a marginal rate compared to December. Demand moderately improved, output remained stable and inputs are accommodative,” Timothy R. Fiore, ISM chair, said in a statement.
Supplier deliveries are up 2.1 percentage points from 47% in December, and the inventories index moved up by 2.3 percentage points.
Overall demand moderated, with new orders expanding at a “respectable rate,” while the new export orders index contracted, according to the report.
“Demand remains soft but shows signs of improvement, and production execution is stable compared to December, as panelists’ companies continue to manage outputs, material inputs, and labor costs,” Fiore added.
Two of the six biggest manufacturing industries registered growth in January, a welcome sight after none recorded growth the month prior.
In total, four manufacturing industries reported growth in January – apparel, leather and allied products, textile mills, transportation equipment, and chemical products – while the remaining 13 industries reported contraction in January, ISM said.

David Schollaert
Read more from David SchollaertLatest in Features

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).

SMU Steel Summit 2025: Will we see you there?
Anticipation leading up to SMU’s Steel Summit 2025 is already heating up after last year’s record-setting attendance!

Week in Review: March 23-28
The constant flow of information we all receive can be a little overwhelming, but SMU is here to help with a snapshot of the week.

CRU: Canacero urges Mexico-US partnership to fend off Asian steel imports
Victor Cairo, head of Mexico’s steel sector body Canacero and CEO of ArcelorMittal Mexico, says he is confident negotiations between the Mexican and US governments planned for April 2 will lead to the creation of a regional block to substitute imports, especially from Asia.
Crowe’s Schrock explains how to adopt AI at your firm
Crowe's Doug Schrock explains how to get up and running with AI at your company.