Breaking

Manufacturing Holds Expansion Streak as Cost Pressures Mount

U.S. manufacturing expanded for a ninth consecutive month in September, with the sector's purchasing managers index reaching 54.5. Growth moderated as factories contend with rising expenses and logistics bottlenecks. Supply chain executives identified inflation and unpredictable economic conditions as primary concerns, tempering confidence despite sustained production gains. Shipping delays compounded operational pressures, forcing planners to navigate tighter margins. Industry leaders cautioned that policy uncertainty could undermine the expansion trajectory if economic conditions deteriorate further in coming months.