Economy is Not Fun

By Econ70 | 06/02/2011

The Institute of Supply Management’s Manufacturing Activity Index fell to 53.5 in May from 60.4. This shows the pace of manufacturing activity moderating since the index reached a 7 year high of 61.2 in March. Add to it a decline in Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index from 66 in April to a 6 month low…

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Auto Sales

By Econ70 | 03/03/2011

We saw auto sales shoot up 6.7% to 13.4 million units (at an annual rate), the best level since August ‘09, and we also saw the ISM inch higher to 61.4 from 60.8 with the “internals” of the report just as solid as the headline But even with incentives running wild, auto sales are still…

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ISM REPORTS GROWTH!

By Econ70 | 02/03/2011

The monthly Institute of Supply Management Report on Business (ISM) is a survey based index of more than 300 manufacturing firms that tracks 11 dimensions of activity across 18 Industries. Readings below 50 indicate recession. Value above 50 indicate growth. The index ranges from 0 to 100. The Jan ISM rose to 60.8 (it’s highest…

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