The opening month of 2024 saw an improvement in the health of the US manufacturing sector for the first time since April 2023, according to the latest PMI® survey data from S&P Global. Although only marginal, overall growth was supported by a return to expansion in new orders and a slower contraction in output. Production was reportedly hampered, however, by a renewed decline in supplier performance and longer input deliveries. Greater transportation costs pushed input prices higher on the month, with cost inflation hitting a nine-month high. In response, firms hiked their selling prices at the fastest rate since ... (full story)