http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-manufacturers-still-struggling-ism-finds-2016-01-04
The business of American manufacturers contracted in December for the second straight month, giving heavy industry a sour end to 2015, a survey of executives found.
The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index slipped to 48.2% last month from 48.6% in November. That’s the lowest reading since the last month of the Great Recession.
Readings under 50% indicate more companies are shrinking instead of expanding. The ISM index has posted sub-50% readings for two straight months for the first time during an economic recovery that began in July 2009.
Manufacturers have been hurt by a strong dollar, declining exports and shriveling demand by energy producers for drilling equipment in the wake of the plunge in oil prices.
Thank God the economy is in recovery or this might be series.