Tag: global economy

December 15, 2016

U.S. factory output dropped in November for the first time in three months, showing an anemic recovery in manufacturing after an extended slowdown. Production at factories, which make up 75% of all output, fell 0.1%, a Federal Reserve report showed […]

December 2, 2016

Manufacturing expanded in November at the fastest pace in five months, indicating American producers are finding more relief in resilient domestic demand. The Institute for Supply Management’s index increased to 53.2 from 51.9 a month earlier, the Tempe, Arizona-based group’s […]

November 30, 2016

Global raw-steel production rose 2.6% from September to October, totaling 136,522,876 metric tons, with similar percentage increases in most of the major steelmaking nations and regions tracked by the World Steel Association. The year-over-year comparison is even higher for October, […]

November 14, 2016

What will Donald Trump actually do? It’s a question many Americans are asking themselves now that the U.S. has wrapped up one of its least policy-specific elections ever. The president-elect has offered only the loosest of legislative prescriptions, including whatever plans […]

November 8, 2016

For almost a century, life in Alexander City, Alabama, revolved around Russell Corp. The athletic-wear maker was headquartered in the town of 15,000, and employed 7,200 people there. “I became mayor in 1996, and all the mayor of Alex City […]

November 7, 2016

The Batmobile and the Star Trek Enterprise got more attention in 1966. But the Electrovan, a General Motors Handivan converted into the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, was the real space-age marvel. According to GM’s Heritage Center, fuel cells […]

October 31, 2016

China’s factories may be on the cusp of delivering a new shock to the global economy after years of undercutting rivals with cheaper costs. This time, increases in prices could reverberate around the world. To understand why, consider the dilemma […]

October 25, 2016

Global raw steel output declined slightly from August to September, and the year-to-date total remains slightly behind the 2015, and yet the September year-over-year output rose slightly more than 2.0% as the world’s major steelmakers continue to try adjusting to […]

October 19, 2016

In the manufacturing world, lawsuits are on the rise for violations of workers’ rights. Employers and their HR staff may feel that they have a good handle on what they can and cannot legally do. Yet the world is changing, […]

September 29, 2016

.S. aluminum makers are calling for a “meaningful dialogue” with Chinese authorities in a bid to end incentives and subsidies that they say are fueling a global glut and squeezing U.S. producers out of the market. The Aluminum Association is […]

September 28, 2016

Although the U.S. automotive industry saw record sales in 2016, the mood of its leaders right now is low-key, even a bit anguished. Gains that OEMs made after the Great Recession have slowed to a near-halt, with predicted sales for 2016 […]

September 23, 2016

Steel production worldwide totaled 134.1 million metric tons during August, rising only slightly (0.2%) from the July result and a bit higher (1.95%) than the August 2015 figure. Global raw-steel capacity utilization during August was just 68.5%, just 0.1% higher […]

September 16, 2016

Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump hit out at Ford Motor Co. for moving its production of small cars to Mexico, saying it should not be permitted to happen. Speaking in Flint, Michigan, the economically depressed former home of General Motors […]

September 16, 2016

Output at American manufacturers fell more than economists forecast in August, a sign the industry is having trouble finding its footing. The 0.4% decline at factories was the biggest drop since March and followed a 0.4% increase the prior month, […]

September 2, 2016

Manufacturing in the U.S. unexpectedly contracted in August for the first time in six months amid slumping orders and production that raise concern of renewed industrial weakness. The Institute for Supply Management’s index dropped to 49.4, weaker than the most […]

August 30, 2016

Boeing Co. skipped raising airplane prices for the first time in seven years as it contends with demand cooled by economic uncertainty, cheap oil and a glut of twin-aisle aircraft. The U.S. planemaker typically adjusts its catalog prices for commercial […]

August 24, 2016

“Political barriers” for private investment will be removed to offer a fair playing field and encourage non-state companies to take part in 165 projects outlined in the country’s 13th five-year plan, said Hu Zucai, vice chairman of China’s National Development […]

August 16, 2016

SpaceX successfully landed a reusable Falcon 9 rocket on a floating drone ship at sea early Sunday after the vehicle had sent a Japanese communications satellite into orbit. The California-based company’s eighth launch this year was part of its ongoing […]

August 11, 2016

After eight years of misery, 2016 has been something of a boon for the steel industry. The big question: can it keep the winning run going? While many steelmakers surprised analysts with better profits and the stocks enjoyed the best […]

August 8, 2016

The jobs market is stronger today than it was last month, or even last week – numerically speaking, at least – according to the latest figures released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The overall market added 255,000 new […]