Manufacturing industry

Growth in Texas factory activity accelerated in February while the Chicago Fed National Activity Index pointed to an uptick in economic growth in January.

Economists say regional surveys show rebound for now, but forecast remains mixed.

With manufacturing showing expansion for the first time in six months, a new issue threatens the sector.

An economic slowdown was expected in 2019, and the data prove the prediction was correct. Now softening consumer spending could portend the need for the Federal Reserve to ease policy at some point.

Consumers remain confident, as the consumer confidence index rose to 131.6 in January from an upwardly revised 128.2 in December, the Conference Board reported Tuesday.

With the phase one trade deal with China finally signed, there should be less uncertainty, which will boost the economy. But will China adhere to the pact?

While the impending signing of a phase one trade deal with China should help the manufacturing sector rebound, Boeing’s decision to halt manufacturing of its 737 MAX will be a short-term negative for the ISM index.

While members of the Federal Open Market Committee believe monetary policy is in a good place, several factors have the power to change that.

President Trump’s New Year’s Eve announcement that he will sign a phase one trade deal with China will offer some stability to those hurt most by the trade war and should allow the Federal Reserve to keep monetary policy accommodative, according to analysts.

Manufacturing activity contracted again in December, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s survey.