NEWS

July 2021 GBI: 60.8

8/2/2021

Business Activity Impacted by Slowing Expansion in New Orders

Disposable Income Contracts as Stimulus Wears Off and Inflation Accelerates

8/2/2021

Despite an increase in nominal disposable income from one year ago, real disposable income decreased as inflation rapidly accelerated during the last year. Also, the government stimulus was not as strong this June as one year ago.

Monetary Base Grows 20.5% in June

7/30/2021

It’s staggering to realize that June 2020’s monetary base was 52.7% more than June 2019’s monetary base, and June 2021’s monetary base was 20.5 higher than June 2020’s monetary base. That’s an incredible amount of growth in just two years and is a significant contributor to the accelerating rate of inflation.

Is All This Money Really a Good Thing?

7/27/2021

Many people talk about there being too much money in the financial system, yet justifying this argument can be difficult.

Housing Permits Increase 25% in June

7/22/2021

Unlike many other economic data series, the rate of change in June 2021 was not affected by an easy comparison with June 2020. In fact, just the opposite. June 2020 was a very strong month for housing permits. Therefore, the 25.0% growth this June is a very strong rate of growth.

Cutting Tool Orders Grow More Than 20% for Second Month

7/22/2021

The annual rate of change in the GBI: Metalworking grew at an accelerating rate for the fourth consecutive month, indicating that the annual rate of contraction in cutting tool orders will continue to decelerate throughout 2021 as cutting tool orders continue to improve on a month by month basis.

2021 New Business Formations Soar in Manufacturing Space

7/21/2021

The rebound in the number of new manufacturing businesses since early 2020 has served as a powerful testimony to the strength and flexibility inherent to the manufacturing sector and capitalism. Not only have new business formations proven the flexibility of a free and open economy to overcome adversity, but also the ability of aspirational individuals and teams to create firms and ultimately jobs.

Annual Growth in Capacity Utilization Strongest Since November 2012

7/21/2021

In June, durable goods capacity utilization was 74.0%. The annual change in durable goods capacity utilization grew at an accelerating rate for the second consecutive month. And, June had the fastest annual rate of growth since November 2012.

June Durable Goods Production Index Second Highest Since March 2019

7/20/2021

Compared with one year ago, the durable goods production index increased 12.2%, which was the fourth straight month of growth. The much stronger than normal growth is due to an easy comparison with last year when the country was just starting to exit lockdowns. The comparisons will get less easy each month.

Wide Range of Crop Prices at Multi-Decade Highs Helps Drive Machinery and Equipment New Orders Activity Higher

7/19/2021

Prices received by farms for a wide range of staple crops are at multi-year and in some instances multi-decade highs. The increased revenues and associated profits will bolster agriculture machinery and equipment purchases.