Manufacturing rises and producer prices stall in June report

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US manufacturing posted modest growth in June, with output rising 0.1%, led by gains in aerospace and primary metals. However, this improvement was undercut by a 2.6% drop in vehicle production.

Industrial production, which includes mining and utilities, rose 0.3%. Over the second quarter, production increased at a 1.1% annual rate, down from 4.3% in the first quarter. Capacity utilization for manufacturing rose slightly to 76.9%, remaining below its historical average of 79.6%.

These figures reflect an uneven recovery across the sector. While high-value manufacturing segments have stabilized, key indicators like the ISM manufacturing index remain below 50, signaling contraction for the fourth consecutive month.

Tariffs weigh on supply chains and forward planning

New tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos, and imports from several trading partners are beginning to affect production costs and supply chains. In anticipation, manufacturers are accelerating purchases and building inventories before the tariffs take effect in August.

This preemptive activity may provide a short-term boost to output but risks declining later in the year as excess stock is worked down. According to the San Francisco Federal Reserve, while tariffs may support factory job growth, they are likely to reduce total employment and lower real income.

The balancing act between encouraging domestic output and avoiding broader economic strain continues to shape near-term investment decisions.

Producer prices flatten as goods costs meet softer service pricing

The producer price index was unchanged in June, reflecting the counteracting forces of firm goods prices and declining service sector costs. On a year-over-year basis, PPI rose 2.3%, down from 2.7% in May.

Core PPI, which strips out volatile components like food and energy, rose 0.1%, signaling modest underlying inflation pressure. Tariff-related increases in machinery and metal costs remain present, but declines in warehousing, transportation, and professional services have helped to offset them.

For manufacturers, this stability may ease some cost concerns, though persistent inflation in imported components could still limit pricing flexibility in the second half of the year.

Economic data gives the Federal Reserve room to pause

The dual signals of modest output gains and subdued producer inflation align with the Federal Reserve’s cautious tone in recent months. With broader inflation easing and labor markets relatively stable, policymakers are expected to maintain rates at current levels through the summer.

Market indicators increasingly point to a potential rate cut as early as September. Slowing capital spending and cautious hiring in industrial sectors reduce the urgency for tightening, particularly as input inflation shows signs of cooling.

The outlook for the second half of the year will depend on upcoming indicators, including consumer inflation, retail spending, and employment trends. For now, the Fed appears to have some flexibility, supported by a gradually rebalancing economy.

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