ISM indicates a manufacturing recession - ING Economics
The US ISM manufacturing index may have risen for the first time in March, but it remains in contraction territory at 48.3 (50 is the break-even level). Moreover, it was weaker than the 48.9 consensus estimate and it has only been weaker twice in the past ten years. Adding to the sense of gloom for the sector, the report shows that this is the third sub-50 reading in a row with the production component dropping to its lowest level since April 2009. Orders and employment continue to contract with the one bright spot being a remarkable surge in export orders – tariff truce related? – to 50.4 from 41.0. More at ING
