2025.09.2314:21:01UTC+00US 5th District Manufacturing Index Sinks

In September 2025, the composite manufacturing index for the US Fifth District experienced a notable decline, dropping 10 points from the previous month to -17. This marks the second-strongest wave of pessimism observed since the beginning of the year. The decline was chiefly driven by a significant decrease in new order volumes, which fell to -15 from -6 in August. This slowdown in orders also led to a sharp reduction in the volume of shipments, which dropped to -20 from -5. Concurrently, capital expenditures decelerated from -23 to -16, aligning with slowdowns observed in both finished goods inventories, which decreased to 11 from 16, and raw materials inventories, falling to 17 from 24. Employment figures also suffered, declining further from -11 to -15, while wage growth experienced a slump, dipping to 13 from 22. On the pricing front, prices paid continued to remain high at 7.22, nearly unchanged from the previous 7.24, which consequently pushed prices received to accelerate from 3.14 to 4.02.