ECONOMY/LABOR: “A closely watched measure of manufacturing activity in the U.S. reached a 13-year high in September, as strong demand and order growth rode out a severe hurricane season.
The Institute for Supply Management said Monday [10-2-17] that its index of manufacturing activity climbed to 60.8 last month from 58.8 in August, hitting its highest reading since May 2004. A reading above 50 indicates sector expansion as measured by factors such as sales, output and hiring.
The reading exceeded economist expectations and suggests the factory sector is weathering the impact of three recent major Atlantic hurricanes—Harvey, Irma and Maria…
The initial storm impact showed up prominently in the ISM Prices Index, which jumped 9.5 percentage points on the month to 71.5, reflecting higher costs of raw materials like chemical products and metals.
It was also reflected in manufacturers’ longer wait times, seen in a 7.3 percentage point jump in the Supplier Deliveries Index to 64.4, its highest level since July 2004…
The survey reported concern among manufacturers about potential short-supply of products and higher prices in coming months.”
-Harriet Torry, “U.S. Factory-Sector Activity Hits 13-Year High,” The Wall Street Journal online, Oct. 2, 2017 03:45pm