Economic Buzz: US manufacturing sector growth accelerates noticeably in February
It was the second successive month that the index has pointed to an improvement in the health of the manufacturing sector, with the rate of growth the best since June 2022.
The strengthening of the headline PMI in February stemmed principally from accelerated gains in both output and new orders.
February survey data indicated an acceleration in the rate of US manufacturing sector expansion. Growth was underpinned by noticeable upturns in both production and new orders.
There was some evidence that sector expansion was partially driven by advanced purchases ahead of likely price increases and possible supply disruption related to further tariff impositions in the coming months.
There was also evidence that some suppliers were already adjusting their prices upwards in direct response to tariffs, with input cost inflation increasing to its highest level since November 2022.
Output charges also rose to a steeper degree, with inflation picking up to a two-year high in February.
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