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Small Business Optimism Holds Near 52-Year Average in January
February 17, 2026The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index edged down 0.2 points to 99.3 in January, remaining slightly above the 52-year average of 98. January’s increase was due primarily to the rise in those expecting better real sales volume. Of the 10 components included in the index, three increased and seven decreased. Meanwhile, the Uncertainty Index jumped…
Manufacturing Adds Jobs After a Yearlong Slide
February 17, 2026Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 130,000 in January, coming in above expectations. At the same time, the unemployment rate edged down 0.1 percentage point from December to 4.3% in January, while the labor force participation rate ticked up 0.1 percentage point to 62.5%. In addition, the establishment employment survey was
Inflation Cools in January: Energy Prices Ease and Core Slows
February 17, 2026In January, consumer prices increased 0.2% from December and 2.4% over the year, down from the 2.7% annual rise in December and less than the anticipated 2.5% hike. Core CPI, which excludes more volatile energy and food prices, rose 0.3% from December and 2.5% over the year, down from the 2.6% 12-month increase in December…
S&P Global PMI Rises in January as Output Accelerates and Inflation Pressures Persist
February 9, 2026The S&P Global Manufacturing PMI was 52.4 in January, up from the December reading of 51.8. New orders rose in January, though growth was modest and below the survey average. However, exports declined for the seventh consecutive month, as tariffs were noted to have driven up costs and hurt demand. Meanwhile, prices on inputs increased…
Global Manufacturing Hits a Three-Month High in January as Output, Orders and Optimism Improve
February 9, 2026In January, growth in global manufacturing activity strengthened from December, rising from 50.4 to 50.9, a three-month high. Output and new orders both expanded as manufacturers saw the strongest rise in new work in almost a year. New export orders contracted in January for the 10th consecutive month but at their slowest pace during this…
Manufacturing Job Openings Rise as Hiring and Separations Remain Low
February 9, 2026Job openings for manufacturing increased by 34,000 to 433,000 in December. On the other hand, the November job openings level of 399,000 was revised downward from 403,000 in the previous report. Nondurable goods job openings in December rose by 11,000 to 139,000, while durable goods job openings climbed by 23,000 to 294,000. The manufacturing job…
U.S. Manufacturing Rebounds: ISM PMI Jumps for First Time in 10 Months
February 9, 2026In January, the U.S. manufacturing sector expanded for the first time after 10 consecutive months of contraction, with the ISM Manufacturing® PMI increasing to 52.6% from 47.9% in December. Demand indicators moved into expansion territory, with the New Orders, New Export Orders and Backlog of Orders Indexes rising to 57.1%, 50.2% and 51.6%, respectively. Meanwhile…
