NEW YORK, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US manufacturing activity contracted for a 10th straight month in December, a survey indicated Monday, pointing to a continued drag in sentiment from tariffs and trade policy uncertainty. The Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) manufacturing index fell to 47.9 from November's 48.2 reading, the lowest of 2025 despite modest improvements in employment and some other categories. Respondents also described customers' inventories as "too low," which is usually a positive sign for future production, said ISM survey chair Susan Spence. "Things are quieter regarding tariffs, but prices for all products remain higher," said a computer and electronic products company. A transportation company told the ISM "things are not improving," pointing to low truck rental utilization.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha January 06, 2026 11:30 UTC