Manufacturing Activity Expands at Fast Rate

AP ^ | July 1, 2005 | Adam Geller

[Toddsterpatriot]

Manufacturing Activity Expands at a Faster-Than-Expected Rate in June; New Factory Orders Up

NEW YORK (AP) -- The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded at a faster-than-expected pace in June, as new orders to factories picked up, a private research group reported Friday. Activity at the nation's factories increased for a 25th consecutive month, according to figures from the Institute for Supply Management. The June upturn followed six consecutive months of slowing growth in the sector, the group said.

ISM's manufacturing index registered 53.8 percent in June, up from a reading of 51.4 in May. The new reading was notably higher than the 51.5 figure forecast by analysts.

A reading of 50 or above in the index means the manufacturing sector is expanding. A figure below 50 represents a contraction.

"These are the most positive signs that we have seen in several months, and they indicate that we may be through the 'soft patch' that many observers touted," said Norbert J. Ore, chair of ISM's manufacturing business survey committee.

The reading reflects an increased rate of growth in new orders, and a slowing rise in prices paid by manufacturers for raw materials. At the same time, high energy costs and a strong dollar continue to weigh on the sector, ISM said.

Of the 20 industry sector tracked by the group's survey, 13 reported growth in June, including petroleum, textiles, food, miscellaneous, wood and wood products, furniture, instruments and photographic equipment, industrial and commercial equipment and computers, rubber and plastic products, chemicals, electronic components and equipment, printing and publishing and primary metals.

[Grampa Dave]

"The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded at a faster-than-expected pace in June, as new orders of cheeseburgers almost doubled."

You need new friends and a new DNA pool. No one I know does hamburgers.

Save your comments for someone in your group or DNA pool. I'm not interested in your gloom and doom.

[1rudeboy]

Thanks. I confused the two. Apologies to ninenot.

[1rudeboy]

I wonder how our service-sector is doing? I heard Boeing and Caterpillar had good years.

[Black Tooth]

"The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded at a faster-than-expected pace in June, as new orders of cheeseburgers almost doubled."

You need new friends and a new DNA pool. No one I know does hamburgers.

No need to get personal and insult others.

There was a bit of humor in there in case you missed that.

So you are suggesting our manufacturing base has greatly expanded in the last 15 years? Seems to me, most everything I see is no longer made in America. Are you seeing something different?

[Toddsterpatriot]

So you are suggesting our manufacturing base has greatly expanded in the last 15 years? Seems to me, most everything I see is no longer made in America. Are you seeing something different?

Well, this chart from expat_panama shows that US Industrial production is 50% higher than in 1992.

Maybe you have a source that shows it has dropped instead?

[1rudeboy]

There was a bit of humor in there in case you missed that.

Sure. An assertion that's been made by libs since the Reagan Administration is funny. Ha Ha Ha.

[Modernman]

The other is that when the American consumer has the freedom to choose his market, he can be free from the tyranny of a Buchanan union stooge and can buy what suits him.

Protectionism is welfare under a different name. Americans forced to pay extra for domestically-produced goods are basically having their income redistributed to a certain segment of American society.

[Modernman]

With all the high-tech and professional occupations that are being outsourced to China and India

I guess that's why the unemployment rate is skyrocketing.

Oh, wait.....

[Modernman]

Don't tell Willie, but with another half-inch or so advance in artificial intelligence/robotics -- make that a scootch-and-a-half if you're metric -- most of the remaining wrench-turning/machine-tender jobs will be gone for good, Chinese or no Chinese.

The sense I get from many of the protectionists on these threads is that if they had been around a century ago, they would have been demanding that the government outlaw tractors to prevent job losses in the agricultural sector.

[oceanview]

really? the new $169K Bentley is back ordered until 2007. Go try and buy a Ferrari.

[expat_panama]

 if they had been around a century ago, they would have been demanding that the government outlaw tractors to prevent job losses in the agricultural sector

Maybe not.   Protectionists on these threads want to raise our taxes so they can send our money to fat cats like Montana beet farmers; and if we squawk then we're traitors-- and meanwhile it's ok for them to use computers with Chinese chips and for them to drink imported coffee.  They are consistent only when it comes to them taking our money and our freedom so their cronies can have it easy.

So my take is that if they'd have their way with the 20th century, we'd have a bloated insolvent welfare system, a record national debt, and foreign attackers thinking we're paper tigers-- wait a second, maybe they did have their way...

[Black Tooth]

Sure. An assertion that's been made by libs since the Reagan Administration is funny

I don't recall the libs complaining too much about our shrinking manufacturing base, with much of it being shipped over seas. I always felt that was a much larger issue with conservatives.

[1rudeboy]

Most people don't think much about our shrinking manufacturing base, because it isn't. And if you don't recall libs "talking down" the U.S. economy, I wonder what else you cannot.

[Black Tooth]

Most people don't think much about our shrinking manufacturing base, because it isn't.

Then how can it be explained that nearly everything I purchase is made just about everywhere except America?

And would a liberal complain about this?

[1rudeboy]

I really don't care where you shop.

[Walkin Man]

The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded at faster-than-expected pace in June, as new orders to factories picked up, a private research group reported Friday.

So I suppose the oil speculators will use this news as a reason to drive up the cost of oil even further, eh?

[Black Tooth]

Most people don't think much about our shrinking manufacturing base, because it isn't.

Then how can it be explained that nearly everything I purchase is made just about everywhere except America?

I really don't care where you shop.

I go to the same places most everyone else shops at. Sears, Target, Walmart, Radio Shack, etc. If you know of a place that sells mostly American manufactured products, let me know.

Thanks.

[1rudeboy]

From the article: "Activity at the nation's factories increased for a 25th consecutive month, according to figures from the Institute for Supply Management."

I'm sorry that you feel that our manufacturing sector is in sad shape because your ping-pong balls are made in Taiwan.

[Black Tooth]

Most people don't think much about our shrinking manufacturing base, because it isn't.

Then how can it be explained that nearly everything I purchase is made just about everywhere except America?

I'm sorry that you feel that our manufacturing sector is in sad shape because your ping-pong balls are made in Taiwan.

But I still don't understand if our manufacturing base is so solid, why is it everything I purchase, or nearly everything, is not made here? I was actually referring to construction products, cars, TVs, radios, paint, furniture, computers, monitors, lawnmowers and you know, stuff like that. And no doubt ping pong balls too.

Where do you shop?

[1rudeboy]