Ok—I guess it is not a surprise at this point, but it looks like any type of economic recovery occurring (it is, right?) is being driven by manufacturing rather than the more typical leader, consumer spending.
How do I know this is true? For one thing, I was in Target not that long ago to buy some plastic golf balls to destroy my yard with, and I felt like I was literally the only person there. It was really a little weird.
But the real reason I know this that various data points indicate that is truly the case. One of the most recent indicators is last week’s Institute of Supply Management Manufacturing release and its PMI reading of 54.4 percent.
While this was down from August’s 56.3 percent PMI by 1.9 percent, any reading that is 50 or better represents economic growth. September represents the 14th consecutive month that the PMI is more than 50, coupled with the overall economy on a growth track for 17 straight months.
Meanwhile, consumer spending remains stalled as evidenced by a weaker-than-expected Back-to-School season, leading up to what could be a timid Holiday Shopping season as well. Not encouraging, I know, but it is what we are looking at for now.
Another notion supporting the thesis for a manufacturing-led recovery is recent data from freight transportation consultancy FTR Associates. FTR’s August Trucking Conditions Index, which is comprised of factors affecting trucking companies, showed a 2.3 percent gain for the sixth straight month of growth and indicates a healthy environment for trucking.
FTR also said that strong manufacturing increases have generated freight growth above GDP.
And FTR President Eric Starks said in a statement that “conditions for trucking are positive in spite of sluggish growth in the overall economy because manufacturing, which generates freight, is growing much more rapidly than services.”
With unemployment high and consumers still wary of spending at previous levels, it looks like the manufacturing-led recovery could be here to stay, it seems. What is your take?