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Manufacturing PMI Climbs Amid Middle East Disruptions
May 4, 2026The S&P Global Manufacturing PMI was 54.5 in April, up from the March reading of 52.3. New orders grew at the fastest pace in four years in April, but exports declined for the 11th consecutive month as tariffs and the conflict in the Middle East drove up costs and hindered foreign demand. Meanwhile, input and…
Fed Holds Rates Amid Rare Four-Way Dissent and Powell’s Final Presser
May 4, 2026As anticipated, the Federal Open Market Committee maintained its interest rate target range at 3.50%–3.75% at its April meeting. On the other hand, one FOMC member—Stephen Miran—dissented from the action, preferring to lower the target range by 25 basis points. In a change to its previous statement, the FOMC noted that inflation remains elevated, in…
Factory Activity Stays in Expansion as Hiring Weakens and Cost Headwinds Persist
May 4, 2026In April, the U.S. manufacturing sector expanded for the fourth consecutive month and at the same pace as the prior month, with the ISM Manufacturing® PMI remaining at 52.7% from March. Certain demand indicators, such as the New Orders and Backlog of Orders indexes, stayed in expansion territory, while the New Export Orders Index remained…
First-Quarter GDP Picks Up as Investment Leads Growth
May 4, 2026Real GDP increased at an annual rate of 2.0% in the first quarter of 2026, up from a 0.5% rise in the fourth quarter but slightly below consensus expectations. The increase in GDP during the first quarter mostly reflected increases in investment, consumer spending on services, exports and government spending, which were partially offset by…
Sen. Young on Championing Immediate R&D Expensing Provision for Manufacturers
April 30, 2026 Read moreTenth District Factories Stay in Expansion Territory Despite Input Costs Climbing
April 27, 2026Manufacturing activity grew at a slightly slower pace in the Tenth District in April, with the month-over-month composite index edging down to 10 in April from 11 in March. On the other hand, expectations for future activity improved 2 points to 18. The month-over-month activity loss was due to a decline in durable manufacturing, while…








