US manufacturing index at lowest level since 2020

The deterioration in the US manufacturing sector continued for the 5th month. The decline in orders and production was effective in this decline. The number of open jobs in the country increased contrary to expectations. The ISM manufacturing index fell to 47.4 in January, the lowest level since May 2020. The expectation was 48. An index value below 50 indicates a contraction in the sector. The index had been 48.4 in December. Thus, the decline continued for the 5th month. The production index decreased by 0.6 points monthly to 48, and the index for new orders decreased by 2.6 points to 42.5. The employment index also decreased by 0.2 points in the same period to 50.6. The manufacturing industry PMI for January announced by S&P Global was revised upwards from 46.8 to 46.9. The number of open jobs increased contrary to expectations According to different data released today, the JOLTS number of open jobs increased by 572 thousand in December last year, contrary to market expectations, to 11 million 12 thousand. The sectors where the number of open jobs increased during this period were accommodation and food services, retail sales and construction. The number of open jobs decreased in the information sector. The number of recruitments increased by 131 thousand in December last year, reaching 6 million 165 thousand. The number of people laid off or left their jobs in the country increased by 59 thousand in the same period, reaching 5 million 831 thousand.