Economics
Manufacturing in U.S. Almost Stalls as Global Slowdown Spreads
- Seven of 18 industries grew last month, the fewest since 2012
- American consumers are a bright spot for automakers, builders
Robotic arms work on an assembly line at the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing plant in Montgomery, Alabama.
Photographer: Mark Elias/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
American manufacturing barely grew in September as a broader swath of industries suffered from the effects of a strong dollar and faltering overseas markets.
The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index fell to 50.2, the weakest since May 2013, from 51.1 in August, the Tempe, Arizona-based group reported Thursday. Fifty is the dividing line between expansion and contraction. Just seven of 18 industries grew last month, the fewest since December 2012.