Durable Goods Production Contracts in April

(Positive) The durable goods industrial production index was 104.7 in April 2017. In April, the index contracted 0.4 percent compared with one year ago, which was the first month-over-month contraction since August 2016. March was the seventh month in a row and the eighth in the last 10 months that the index grew. Given the strength of leading indicators for manufacturing, particularly new orders, this is expected to be a minor dip in production. The annual rate of growth decelerated after three straight months of accelerating growth. 

We track industrial production and its leading indicators for a number of industries. Click on the links below to see how each industry is faring.

Accelerating Growth: appliances, electronics/computers/telecommunications, machinery/equipment, petrochemical processors, textiles/clothing/leather goods, wood/paper 

Decelerating Growth: automotive, construction materials, custom processors, durable goods, food/beverage, HVAC, medical, 

Accelerating Contraction: aerospace, furniture, off-road/construction machinery, ​plastic/rubber products, printing

Decelerating Contraction: forming/fabricating (non-auto), hardware, industrial motors/hydraulics/mechanical components, metalcutting job shops, military, oil/gas-field/mining machinery, power generation, primary metals, pumps/valves/plumbing, ship/boat building