US manufacturing activity picks up in March

2 Apr 2014

WASHINGTON, USA: US manufacturing activity gained pace in March helped by a pickup in new orders and a rebound in production, the Institute for Supply Management said.

There has been a slight improvement in the US manufacturing outlook for the coming year after years of depressed conditions in industry. Image: Beeboys Fotolia

The ISM's purchasing managers index rose from 53.2 in February to 53.7 fin March. A reading above 50 denotes expansion.

The new orders component rose to 55.1 and production turned around from contraction in February, that was partly the result of extremely harsh winter weather. It is now reflecting solid expansion pace of 55.9.

But hiring of new employees slowed and customer inventories contracted during the month.

ISM said that comments from businesses surveyed reflected favourable demand and good business conditions with some respondents still noting impact from the unusually harsh winter weather across much of the country.

"Weather has created major delays on inbound materials and outbound sales. We need spring," said one survey respondent from the food and beverage industry.

Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge

Source: I-Net Bridge

For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.

We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.

Go to: http://www.inet.co.za