Supply Chain Research

The latest ISM survey of managers’ outlook for U.S. manufacturing reached the highest level seen since February 2015, and at 53.2 (over 50 represents expansion) was well above economists’ hopes for a reading of 52. Yet, the outlook for trade contracted with both the export and import measures falling. While still in positive territory, this divergence suggests American managers expect more demand from their home market, and to use U.S. suppliers more. The lower trade outlook is similar to the trend seen in Europe, and different to Chinese managers who became a little more upbeat.