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U.S. factories are facing inflationary pressure
In January 2022, the month of rising fears, high tensions, and continued inflation surges, the stock market experienced a series of falling and rising trends in the Wall Street index. Yet, January isn’t a complete catastrophe. The latest Fed report showed an increase in U.S. factory output. Some sectors even hit new highs in 2019.
Despite the work shortage, U.S. factories rebounded and increased their manufacturing capacity by 0.5% of total industrial production. According to a Bloomberg survey, the results showed an increase of
- 0.2% monthly in factory output.
- 0.5% of total industrial production.
Compared to December’s 0.1% monthly factory output, this report indicates that the U.S. factory output has recovered slowly. As for total industrial production, the report indicates a 1.4% increase in all sectors, including mining and utilities. The last payroll report also saw an improvement in the U.S. payrolls. They are still under the estimated average, but the economy is recovering at the moment.
The COVID outbreak has left many factories and businesses with many common problems, including labor shortages, low materials, and transportation. Workers are leaving the force in high numbers, but consumer demand remains the same. These factors have put many industries under massive tension.
As for the total industrial capacity, the report shows an increase of 77.6%. This is the highest jump since the start of the pandemic. Despite the positive numbers, factory output in the United States remains precarious. Investors are a bit pessimistic about which direction the current economy is going. Investors want to see proven reports and results of high labor, high materials, and high industrial output. Till today, it was the consumer’s high demand rate that kept these factories on the run. But, the problems are still deep and the only way to solve them is to open job positions.
U.S. factories are facing inflationary pressure.
According to the January inflation report, inflation has increased by 7.5% from year to year, including a 9.7% rise in wholesale prices. It’s not certain that inflation is temporary or permanent. But, in terms of what is coming in the next few days or weeks, we are still uncertain.
Last Friday, the White House made a declaration that put the market in a state of fear and decline. The U.S. government says that there is a high possibility of a Russian military invasion. In terms of inflationary pressures, that would take the global total production one step back.
It’s not only about the current geopolitical tensions; investors and the Fed, as well, are afraid of other tensions that may appear in the next few weeks. The Federal Reserve recently commented that it will stably increase interest rates to prevent losing control and cool down prices as well.
As of January1, manufacturing costs have increased as a result of martial price increases. According to expert opinions, any aggressive interest hike will drive the price through the roof. Investors are afraid of interest hikes of more than 50 basis points because that would increase the stock market risks and lose money potential. Some predict that there will be 7 hikes this year, beginning in March, which means that there will be a hike every 30–40 days, and all federal meetings will be held.
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