U.S. manufacturing activity remained flat in August at 48.7% according to the Institute for Supply Management’s latest Purchasing Managers’ Index, despite a slight increase from July. Production dropped to 47.8%, offsetting gains from new orders. New orders expanded for the first time in six months, but other demand indicators were in contraction. Tariff uncertainty continues to hinder growth, with 69% of manufacturing GDP in contraction. S&P Global’s Manufacturing PMI rose to 53% in August, driven by new orders and inventory building, marking the strongest improvement since May 2022. Rising costs are being passed on to consumers, raising concerns about future inflation.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: August manufacturing activity flat as tariff uncertainty looms: PMI