Category: General Interest

April 6, 2021

US Manufacturing Sector Index Races to 37-year High in March: ISM

US Manufacturing Sector Index Races to 37-year High in March: ISM

BY REUTERS   April 1, 2021 Updated: April 1, 2021   WASHINGTON—A measure of U.S. manufacturing activity soared to its highest level in more than 37 years in March, driven by strong growth in new orders, the clearest sign yet that a much anticipated economic boom was probably underway. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said on Thursday itsRead More

April 2, 2021

Private payrolls hiring bursts at fastest pace since September on rise in hospitality hiring

Private payrolls hiring bursts at fastest pace since September on rise in hospitality hiring

PUBLISHED WED, MAR 31 20218:15 AM Jeff Cox@JEFF.COX.7528@JEFFCOXCNBCCOM Private payrolls in March expanded at the fastest pace since September as anticipation of a strong economic rebound coupled with aggressive vaccination rates pushed companies to hire, according to a report Wednesday from payroll processing firm ADP. Companies added 517,000 workers for the month, a healthy spikeRead More

March 31, 2021

63 Percent of Americans Want Government to Buy US-Made Goods, Even at Higher Cost: Poll

63 Percent of Americans Want Government to Buy US-Made Goods, Even at Higher Cost: Poll

BY TOM OZIMEK March 30, 2021   A recent poll found that 63 percent of Americans want the government to buy goods made in the United States—even at a significantly higher cost. The Reuters-Ipsos poll, which was released on Tuesday, also showed that, while 69 percent of U.S. respondents believe a product being made in America is at leastRead More
Consumer confidence surges to a pandemic high as hiring and the U.S. economy speed up

Consumer confidence surges to a pandemic high as hiring and the U.S. economy speed up

By Jeffry Bartash   U.S. consumer confidence index climbs to 109.7 from 90.4   The numbers: Consumer confidence surged in March to a one-year high as more Americans got vaccinated and the government doled out $1,400 stimulus checks in a boost to the economy. The index of consumer confidence shot up to 109.7 this month fromRead More

March 29, 2021

Cold weather depresses U.S. consumer spending; inflation is muted

Cold weather depresses U.S. consumer spending; inflation is muted

PUBLISHED FRI, MAR 26 20218:31 AM EDT UPDATED FRI, MAR 26 20219:44 AM EDT U.S. consumer spending fell by the most in 10 months in February as a cold snap gripped many parts of the country and the boost from a second round of stimulus checks to middle- and lower-income households faded, though the declineRead More
3 Ways COVID-19 Reshuffled Our Finances

3 Ways COVID-19 Reshuffled Our Finances

Kelsey Sheehy, NerdWallet The U.S. economy ground to a halt in March 2020 as state after state-issued lockdown orders and shut down businesses to blunt the spread of the coronavirus. A year later, mask-wearing is commonplace, the phrase “social distancing” is now in the dictionary, elbow bumps have replaced fist bumps and hugs are stillRead More

March 15, 2021

Survey: 88% of Manufacturers Optimistic about 2021

Survey: 88% of Manufacturers Optimistic about 2021

The National Association of Manufacturers’ quarterly record of manufacturer optimism hit its highest point in two years. IW Staff MAR 09, 2021 Most U.S. manufacturers see clear skies ahead, according to a new survey released by the National Association of Manufacturers. A majority, 87.6% of 450 respondents, of small, medium and large businesses reported feelingRead More
Retail Will Grow Dramatically First Half of 2021

Retail Will Grow Dramatically First Half of 2021

"The supply chain slowdown we usually see after the holiday season never really happened this winter, and imports are already starting to grow again," said Jonathan Gold, of National Retail Federation. MH&L Staff MAR 09, 2021 As increased vaccination and continued in-store safety measures enable additional shopping options, imports at the nation’s largest retail containerRead More

March 4, 2021

Making ‘Less Is More’ Your Communication Mantra

Making ‘Less Is More’ Your Communication Mantra

People have a highly limited capacity to handle data—so why would you ask them to process more and more? Sean Fields Michael Sanders MAR 03, 2021 Over our 30 years of experience in industry, we consistently hear a clear, collective cry from leaders: Communication within their company is poor, and it’s hurting the business. TheRead More

March 1, 2021

Manufacturing in February: Rapid Growth Checked by Supply Hurdles

Manufacturing in February: Rapid Growth Checked by Supply Hurdles

According to the ISM, U.S. industry is still bedeviled by supply inconsistencies despite growing production and demand. Data from the Institute for Supply Management show that the manufacturing sector grew in February at a faster rate than it had in January. The ISM’s Purchasing Manager’s Index hit 60.8, 2.1 points higher than January’s 58.7. ARead More