US ISM: recovery continues but strong numbers partly due to hurricanes - Danske Bank


According to analysts from Danske Bank, today’s ISM data showed that the sector is recovering after some difficult years, however, they noted that the strong September numbers were partly due to hurricanes. 

Key Quotes: 

“ISM manufacturing rose to 60.8 in September (from 58.8 in August), which was even higher than what we had pencilled in (60.0, which was the highest forecast among analysts) and against the consensus of a decline to 58.1. 60.8 is the highest level since May 2004, when it was shortly above this level. In our view, one should be cautious in not overinterpreting the increase, although the release still sends a strong signal from the US manufacturing sector.”

“However, the big jump in the ‘supplier deliveries’subcomponent in September is most likely due to the negative impact from the hurricanes Harvey and Irma, which the comments from businesses in the survey also suggest. The rise was the biggest since September 2008 and the subcomponent index is now at the highest level since summer 2004. The subcomponent contributes 1.46 index points of the total increase of two index points. If the ‘supplier deliveries’ was unchanged from August, the ISM manufacturing index would ‘only’ have increased to 59.3, which of course would still have been a strong signal, as it would have been one of the highest prints since the crisis. This may also help to explain the relatively muted market reaction, as markets usually would react more to such a ‘positive’ surprise, as we got today.”

“We think the ‘supplier deliveries’ should fall back again when businesses return to normal in coming months, which should cause a decline in ISM manufacturing as well. In our view, this does not alter the picture that the US manufacturing sector is recovering after some difficult years in 2014-2016, although we are still puzzled about the big gap between ISM manufacturing and Markit PMI and perhaps the truth is likely somewhere in the middle. At least, ISM manufacturing has so far overestimated ‘hard’ production data.”

Share: Feed news

Information on these pages contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Markets and instruments profiled on this page are for informational purposes only and should not in any way come across as a recommendation to buy or sell in these assets. You should do your own thorough research before making any investment decisions. FXStreet does not in any way guarantee that this information is free from mistakes, errors, or material misstatements. It also does not guarantee that this information is of a timely nature. Investing in Open Markets involves a great deal of risk, including the loss of all or a portion of your investment, as well as emotional distress. All risks, losses and costs associated with investing, including total loss of principal, are your responsibility. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of FXStreet nor its advertisers. The author will not be held responsible for information that is found at the end of links posted on this page.

If not otherwise explicitly mentioned in the body of the article, at the time of writing, the author has no position in any stock mentioned in this article and no business relationship with any company mentioned. The author has not received compensation for writing this article, other than from FXStreet.

FXStreet and the author do not provide personalized recommendations. The author makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this information. FXStreet and the author will not be liable for any errors, omissions or any losses, injuries or damages arising from this information and its display or use. Errors and omissions excepted.

The author and FXStreet are not registered investment advisors and nothing in this article is intended to be investment advice.

Recommended content


Recommended content

Editors’ Picks

Forex MAJORS

Cryptocurrencies

Signatures