We break down the latest key industry figures for both December and the full year, including a look at year-to-date and year-over-year wholesale sales by NAICS product category.
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We break down the latest key figures out of the Census Bureau’s December report that showed a year-end dip in total orders hampered by volatile aircraft, while capital goods posted a solid increase.
PMA's latest business conditions report showed a modest monthly decline in economic outlook from metalforming manufacturers despite them reporting higher shipping levels during January and expected orders.
After a solid month-to-month and robust year-over-year December gain, market commentary indicates prolonged strong activity through the first half of 2026.Â
GDP growth slowed to less than one-third of the rate it had in 3Q25, missing expectations as it was weighed down by the 43-day shutdown and slower consumer spending.
Always-volatile transportation orders drove the monthly decline, while core capital goods posted a solid increase to end the year.
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Economists had expected December's starts to be flat vs. November.
It topped consensus estimates by a healthy margin, though December’s gain was revised lower.
The monthly CPI had its slowest acceleration since May, and core inflation had its smallest annual move since early 2021.
Total December sales had modest growth, but were helped by an additional selling day vs. a year earlier.
Over the month, commercial planning fell 7.2% and institutional planning momentum slowed by 4.4%, according to the Dodge Momentum Index.
After a tariff-driven May-August slump, orders accelerated throughout the rest of 2025 and entered 2026 with underlying momentum.
Though the figures were a positive sign for manufacturing momentum, ISM survey commentary acknowledged that January is a reorder month and likely was influenced by buyers trying to get ahead of expected price increases.
We break down the latest key figures out of the Census Bureau’s November report that showed a solid monthly rebound in factory orders - largely driven by nondefense aircraft.
The hold comes despite pressure from President Donald Trump and the greater administration that includes the Justice Department opening a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell.
Our latest MarketPulse Report shares a wealth of data and analysis from the 4Q25 Baird-MDM Industrial Distribution Survey - conducted Jan. 5-12 - that covered respondents' revenue performance, pricing updates and business expectations for 1Q26 and the rest of the year, plus plenty of market-specific commentary.
Metalforming manufacturers indicated month-to-month improvement in their January outlook survey for near-term business conditions, incoming orders and shipping levels.
October negated most of September's decline and was the fourth gain in the past five months.
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