Economic Trends Archives - Modern Distribution Management

Economic Trends

June U.S. Construction Spending Unexpectedly Edges Down

U.S. construction spending edged higher in May, helpeThe monthly dip came as non-data center commercial activity fell, while nonresidential activity improved.d by continued public sector gains and residential improvement. Private nonresidential spending, however, declined for an eighth straight month. Get all the key data and charts here.

August 3, 2026

Economic Trends

ISM PMI Accelerates to 4-Year High

The economic indicator expanded faster than market expectations on the strength of a considerable month-to-month production increase alongside employment.

August 3, 2026

Economic Trends

First Estimate: U.S. 2Q GDP Growth Slows to 1.5%

The headline figure came in below expectations as rising imports and weaker government spending weighed on growth, but a sharp acceleration in private domestic demand offered a considerably stronger underlying signal.

July 30, 2026

Economic Trends

Fed Leaves Rates Unchanged for 7th Straight Month; 3 Dissents

The Federal Reserve maintained its benchmark interest rate again, extending a pause that began in December. Three regional Fed presidents dissented in favor of raising rates as policymakers continued to emphasize elevated inflation.

July 29, 2026

Research

MDM’s 2Q26 MarketPulse Report is Here, Showing Market-Specific Revenue Performance, Pricing & Expectations

MDM’s 2Q26 MarketPulse Report consists of the quarterly results, analysis and commentary from the latest Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey — conducted early July — that explored revenue performance, pricing and business expectations for the current quarter and rest-of-year. It includes a wealth of market-specific data and commentary from survey respondents.

July 28, 2026

Economic Trends

Advance: U.S. Durable Goods Orders Edge Higher in June, Up 6.7% YTD

U.S. durable goods orders increased 0.3% in June, led by computers and electronic products, while orders excluding transportation rose 0.6%. Total orders were up 8.9% year over year and 6.7% through the first half of 2026.

July 27, 2026

Economic Trends

Ocean Container Rates Ease After Surge, Remain Highly Elevated on U.S. Import Routes

Drewry’s latest World Container Index showed a second consecutive weekly decline, but U.S.-bound shipping rates remain far above early-2026 levels amid tariff-driven frontloading, constrained capacity, elevated fuel costs and continued geopolitical uncertainty.

July 23, 2026

Economic Trends

Now Available: NAW’s 3Q26 Forecast Report

This comprehensive NAW 3Q26 Forecast Report is a guide to the U.S. wholesale distribution economy, providing a historical, current and future snapshot of numerous key economic indicators in one convenient place along with our exclusive sector-specific forecasts for 19 different product categories.

July 17, 2026

Economic Trends

June U.S. Industrial Production Posts Another Slight Gain, Behind Expectations

Manufacturing output was flat month-over-month, while mining and utilities both had modest increases. Get all the key figures here.

July 17, 2026

Building Materials/Construction

June U.S. Housing Starts Rebound as Multifamily Activity Jumps

U.S. housing starts bounced back in June after a sharp May decline, driven by a jump in multifamily construction. Building permits declined both month-to-month and year-over-year, while completions increased.

July 17, 2026

Economic Trends

MDM Forecast: July Update

This category can only be viewed by members. To view this category, sign up by purchasing MDM Premium Subscription (monthly) or MDM Premium Subscription (annual).

July 15, 2026

Economic Trends

Wholesale Inflation Cools in June as Energy Drives Producer Price Decline

The latest Producer Price Index showed wholesale prices fell in June as energy costs retreated sharply, while underlying inflation remained more subdued, offering a calmer inflation picture after May's energy-driven surge.

July 15, 2026

Economic Trends

Energy Price Drop Pulls Consumer Inflation Lower in June

Consumer inflation eased considerably during June as gasoline prices reversed course, while core prices were unchanged month-over-month and posted their smallest annual increase since early 2021.

July 14, 2026

Economic Trends

U.S. Metalworking Machinery Orders Continued Slide in May, but Narrowed

Month-over-month orders declined for a second straight month, but to a much smaller degree than April, while year-over-year totals remain robust. Get the key figures and context here.

July 13, 2026

Economic Trends

U.S. Cutting Tool Shipment Value & Volume Dip Again in May

The number of units shipped decreased for a second straight month after rising in March and February.

July 9, 2026

Economic Trends

May U.S. Wholesale Sales Accelerate, Far Outpacing Inventories

Petroleum products continued to lift nondurable goods sales, while durables saw widespread acceleration as inventory-to-sales ratios continue to slide, indicating demand is outpacing stockpiles. Here, get a full breakdown of product vertical-specific figures for monthly and year-over-year sales and inventories from the latest government data.

July 8, 2026

Economic Trends

IMF Lowers 2026 Global Growth Outlook, Holds U.S. Forecast Steady

The IMF’s July World Economic Outlook update projects 3.0% global growth in 2026, down 0.1 percentage point from April, as war-driven energy pressure and stalled disinflation offset technology investment gains.

July 8, 2026

HVACR

HARDI Distributors’ May Sales Slide to 4.8% Decline

It followed a 4.5% April increase, marking a downtrodden start to the first meaningful month of cooling season.

July 6, 2026

Economic Trends

May U.S. Construction Spending Inches Up, Trailing Expectations

U.S. construction spending edged higher in May, helped by continued public sector gains and residential improvement. Private nonresidential spending, however, declined for an eighth straight month. Get all the key data and charts here.

July 1, 2026

Economic Trends

ISM PMI Unexpectedly Slides, Signaling Slower June Manufacturing Growth

The economic indicator was expected to hold or modestly tick down, as indices for new orders and production both declined month-over-month.

July 1, 2026

Learn More about Custom Reports

LinkedIn
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*
First Last
Country*
Company*
Job Title
What is your preferred method of contact?*
- Email
- Phone
Email*
Phone*
Anything else we should know?