US Factory Activity Expands for 2nd Month: ISM

2026-03-02 15:04 By Joana Taborda 1 min. read

The ISM Manufacturing PMI slipped to 52.4 in February 2026 from 52.6 in January, but remained above market expectations of 51.8.

The reading signaled a second consecutive month of expansion in the manufacturing sector, albeit at a slightly slower pace.

A smaller increase was recorded for new orders (55.8 vs 57.1) and production (53.5 vs 55.9) while employment (48.8 vs 48.1) and inventories (48.8 vs 47.6) remained in contraction.

At the same time, price pressures intensified, with the subindex hitting the highest since June 2022 (70.5 vs 59), driven by increases in steel and aluminum as well as tariffs applied to many imported goods.

Supplier deliveries (55.1 vs 54.4) indicated a further slowing for the third month in a row.

"Of the six largest manufacturing industries, four (Chemical Products; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; and Computer & Electronic Products) expanded in February", Susan Spence, Chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee said.



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US Factory Activity Expands for 2nd Month: ISM
The ISM Manufacturing PMI slipped to 52.4 in February 2026 from 52.6 in January, but remained above market expectations of 51.8. The reading signaled a second consecutive month of expansion in the manufacturing sector, albeit at a slightly slower pace. A smaller increase was recorded for new orders (55.8 vs 57.1) and production (53.5 vs 55.9) while employment (48.8 vs 48.1) and inventories (48.8 vs 47.6) remained in contraction. At the same time, price pressures intensified, with the subindex hitting the highest since June 2022 (70.5 vs 59), driven by increases in steel and aluminum as well as tariffs applied to many imported goods. Supplier deliveries (55.1 vs 54.4) indicated a further slowing for the third month in a row. "Of the six largest manufacturing industries, four (Chemical Products; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; and Computer & Electronic Products) expanded in February", Susan Spence, Chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee said.
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The ISM Manufacturing PMI for the US unexpectedly rose to 52.6 in January 2026 from 47.9 in December and much better than forecasts of 48.5. The reading showed that economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in January for the first time in 12 months, and the most since 2022, amid improvements in new orders (57.1 vs 47.4), production (55.9 vs 50.7), employment (48.1 vs 44.8), supplier deliveries (54.4 vs 50.8), and inventories (47.6 vs 45.7), though employment and inventories still remain in contraction. At the same time, price pressures were little changed (59 vs 58.5). "Although these are positive signs for the start of the year, they are tempered by commentary citing that January is a reorder month after the holidays, and some buying appears to be to get ahead of expected price increases due to ongoing tariff issues", Susan Spence, chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee said.
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ISM Manufacturing PMI Below Forecasts
The ISM Manufacturing PMI for the US fell for a third consecutive month to 47.9 in December 2025, the lowest level since October 2024, compared to 48.2 in November and forecasts of 48.3. The reading showed the US manufacturing activity contracted at a faster rate, led by pullbacks in production (51 vs 51.4) and inventories (45.2 vs 48.9), following increases in November, pointing to recent economic uncertainty in manufacturing. Also, price pressures remained elevated (58.5 vs 58.5). On the other hand, improvements in new orders (47.7 vs 47.4), backlog of orders (45.8 vs 44) and new export orders (46.8 vs 46.2) and the customers’ inventories index remaining in ‘too low’ territory (43.3 vs 44.7) are positive signs for December, but several consecutive months of gains in these indicators are necessary for a longer-term recovery. In addition, employment contracted at a slower pace (44.9 vs 44).
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