91ÊÓƵ

The Institute for Supply Management’s gauge of prices paid for manufacturing inputs jumped 11.5 points to 70.5, the highest level since overall inflation peaked nearly four years ago.

The strength in demand reflected a decline in a measure of customer inventories, which contracted by the most since mid-2022. Lean customer stockpiles could boost factory orders and production.

The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index eased half a point to 48.2, according to data released Dec. 1. The measure has been below 50 for nine straight months.

Manufacturing payrolls fell for the fourth straight month in August, slipping by 12,000 from a month earlier, Bureau of Labor Statistics data released Sept. 5 showed.

While a slight improvement from 48 in July, details of the ISM report were mixed and the gauge remained below the level of 50 that separates expansion and contraction.

U.S. factory activity contracted in May for a third consecutive month and a gauge of imports fell to a 16-year low as firms pulled back in the face of higher tariffs.

The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index slipped by 0.6 point in February to 50.3, according to data released March 3. Readings above 50 indicate growth.

U.S. manufacturing activity shrank in September for a sixth month, reflecting weak orders and declining employment.

U.S. factory activity unexpectedly expanded in March for the first time since September 2022 on a sharp rebound in production and stronger demand, while input costs climbed.

A measure of U.S. factory activity climbed to a 15-month high in January, fueled by the strongest orders growth since May 2022 and suggesting manufacturing is starting to stabilize.