Industrial Production + Manufacturing + Capacity Utilization During DECEMBER 2025

The Industrial Production, Manufacturing and Capacity Utilization numbers for December, 2025 were released by the Federal Reserve this morning:

Industrial Production:
Previous Month (revised): +0.4%
Actual: +0.4% Month-on-Month (M/M)

• Year-on-Year (Y/Y): +2.0%
  
  --> Y/Y Previous: +2.5%
  
  

Manufacturing:
Previous Month (revised): +0.3%
Actual:  +0.2% (M/M)

• Y/Y : +2.0%
  
  --> Y/Y Previous: +1.9%
  
  

Capacity Utilization Rate:
Previous Month (revised): 76.1%
Actual:  76.3% (M/M)

• Y/Y : +1.5%
  
  --> Y/Y Previous: +1.5%

===============

CHART: Industrial Production
+ Manufacturing
+ Capacity Utilization
DECEMBER 2025 UPDATE

 

===============

• Click here to view the full Federal Reserve report

===============

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of January 10, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on January 10, 2026:

====================

Predicted: 200,000

• Actual: 198,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 207,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 205,000

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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Consumer Price Index (CPI) for DECEMBER 2025

Earlier this morning, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for December, 2025:

=========================================

CPI During December 2025: 324.054

=========================================

Consumer Price Index (CPI); Headline

Predicted: FLAT

->  Actual: -0.021% (-0.068 point)

• Year-on-Year Change: +2.68% (+8.449 points)

[prior = +2.74%]

=========================================

CPI, Minus Food + Energy (Core CPI)

Predicted: FLAT

 - > Actual: -0.025% (-0.081 point)

• Year-on-Year Change: +2.64% (+8.499 points)

[prior = +2.63%]

=========================================

The above, yellow- and blue-highlighted figures represent month-to-month and year-on-year changes (not seasonally adjusted) in prices for a specific group of goods and services that consumers buy, and is, therefore, a very important part of the overall inflation picture for the country.

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

General categories that constitute the CPI are:

• Healthcare
• Housing
• Clothing
• Communications
• Education
• Transportation
• Food and Beverages
• Recreation
• Miscellaneous Goods and Services (grooming expenses, etc.)

========================================

CPI During December 2024: 315.605

=======================================

CHART: Consumer Price Index

12-Month Percentage Change
DECEMBER 2025 Update

========================================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report.
  

========================================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of January 3, 2026

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on January 3, 2026:

====================

Predicted: 200,000

• Actual: 208,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 200,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 211,750

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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ISM Manufacturing Index for DECEMBER 2025

Earlier today, the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) released their Manufacturing Purchasing Manager's Index (PMI®) for December, 2025:

=========

Predicted: 48.0%

• Actual: 47.9% (-0.3 point month-on-month change)

=========

Previous month: 48.2%

=========

Every month, the ISM surveys purchasing and supply executives at hundreds of companies across the country who are involved in manufacturing in some form. The resulting index is watched closely by academics, economists and investors because manufacturing accounts for about 12% of U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The PMI is a reliable barometer of U.S. manufacturing: A PMI above 50% implies that U.S. manufacturing expanded during the month specified, while a reading below 50% implies that the made-in-the-USA sector contracted.

=========

From Today's Report:

"...Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in December for the 10th consecutive month, following a two-month expansion preceded by 26 straight months of contraction, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report..."

=========

The Following Is A Sampling Of Quotes
From A Diverse Pool Of U.S. Manufacturers:

•     'Winding up the year with mixed results. It has not been a great year. We have had some success holding the line on costs; however, real consumer spending is down and tariffs are ultimately to blame. I hope for some return to free trade, which is what consumers have ‘voted for’ with their spending.'
   [Chemical Products]
  

 

•     'Trough conditions continue: depressed business activity, some seasonal but largely impacted by customer issues due to interest rates, tariffs, low oil commodity pricing and limited housing starts.'
   [Machinery]
  

 

•     'Things are quieter regarding tariffs, but prices for all products remain higher. Our costs have increased, so we have increased prices for our customers to compensate. Margins have deteriorated, as full pass through (of cost increases) is not possible.'
   [Computer + Electronic Products]
  

 

•     'Things are not improving in the transportation equipment market. Many customers are ordering for 2026, but those orders are 20 percent to 30% below their historical buying patterns. Some large fleets are still completely on hold for 2026, with zero capital expenditures money available to fleet budgets. Truck rental utilization, which is a good benchmark for the health of the economy, is still below historically stable levels. The general mood of the industry is that the first half of 2026 will be another bust, and we’re now hoping things pick up in the second half, even as the North American truck fleet continues to age.'
   [Transportation Equipment]
  

 

•     'In the current environment, our company is struggling with customer orders and financially overall. Our senior leaders are struggling to focus our business and get the company on track with quality products. In November, layoffs impacted about 9% of our workforce, affecting all locations in the U.S. and Europe.'
   [Machinery]
  

 

•     'Orders continue to drop for most of our businesses. Many plants are not running near full capacity. Make to order being utilized where possible.'
   [Chemical Products]
  

 

•     'Order levels have continued to decline: We had a bad October, an awful November and a dismal December. January and February don’t look too good, as bookings are down 25 percent compared to the first two months of 2025.'
   [Fabricated Metal Products]
  

 

•     'Morale is very low across manufacturing in general. The cost of living is very high, and component costs are increasing with folks citing tariffs and other price increases. It’s cold in our area of the country, absenteeism is worse around the holidays, and sales were lower than we expected for November. So, things look a bit bleak overall.'
   [Electrical Equipment, Appliances + Components]
  

 

•     'Global logistics remains sensitive to geopolitical shifts. Tariffs are influencing equipment pricing and procurement strategies. Large-scale data center programs are absorbing and reducing availability of resources for other sectors.' 
  [Food, Beverage + Tobacco Products]
  

 

•     '2025 revenue was down 17 percent due to tariffs. The lost revenue has inhibited our ability to offer bonuses to employees or create and hire for new positions.'
   [Miscellaneous Manufacturing]
  

==========

CHART: ISM Manufacturing Index
December 2025 Update

=========

DATA: ISM Manufacturing Index

12-Month History
December 2025 Update

=========

=========

• Click here to view the complete ISM report

=========

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of December 27, 2025

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on December 27, 2025:

====================

Predicted: 201,000

• Actual: 199,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 215,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 218,750

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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Industrial Production + Manufacturing + Capacity Utilization During November 2025

The Industrial Production, Manufacturing and Capacity Utilization numbers for November, 2025 were released by the Federal Reserve this morning:

Industrial Production:
Predicted: +0.1%
Actual: +0.2% month-on-month (M/M)

• Year-on-Year (Y/Y): +2.5%
  
  

Manufacturing:
Predicted: FLAT
Actual:  FLAT (M/M)

• Y/Y : +1.9%
  
  

Capacity Utilization Rate:
Predicted: 75.9%
Actual:  76.0% (M/M)

• Y/Y : +1.5%

The "predicted" figures are what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

From Today's Report:

"...This release includes preliminary estimates for industrial production (IP) and capacity utilization for both October and November as well as revised estimates for May through September. IP rose 0.2% in November after ticking down 0.1% in October. On average, IP rose 0.1 percent per month across October and November, the same as the rate of increase in September and a somewhat slower average pace than the past 12 months.

Manufacturing output was flat in November after dropping 0.4% in October. There were swings in both mining and utilities output over October and November, though, on net, both sectors posted gains. At 101.8% of its 2017 average, total IP in November was 2.5% above its year-earlier level.

Capacity utilization was 76.0 percent in November, a rate that is 3.5 percentage points below its long-run (1972–2024) average..."

===============

CHART: Industrial Production
+ Manufacturing
+ Capacity Utilization
NOVEMBER 2025 UPDATE

 

===============

• Click here to view the full Federal Reserve report

===============

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of December 20, 2025

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on December 20, 2025:

====================

Predicted: 220,000

• Actual: 214,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (unrevised): 224,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 216,750

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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Consumer Price Index (CPI) for NOVEMBER 2025

Earlier this morning, the Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for November, 2025:

=========================================

CPI During November 2025: 324.122

=========================================

Consumer Price Index (CPI); Headline

Predicted: +0.3%

->  Actual: N/A

• Year-on-Year Change: +2.74% (+8.629 points)

[prior = N/A]

=========================================

CPI, Minus Food + Energy (Core CPI)

Predicted: +0.3

 - > Actual: N/A

• Year-on-Year Change: +2.63% (+8.478 points)

[prior = N/A]

=========================================

The above, yellow- and blue-highlighted figures represent month-to-month and year-on-year changes (not seasonally adjusted) in prices for a specific group of goods and services that consumers buy, and is, therefore, a very important part of the overall inflation picture for the country.

The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

General categories that constitute the CPI are:

• Healthcare
• Housing
• Clothing
• Communications
• Education
• Transportation
• Food and Beverages
• Recreation
• Miscellaneous Goods and Services (grooming expenses, etc.)

========================================

CPI During November 2024: 315.493

=======================================

CHART: Consumer Price Index

12-Month Percentage Change
NOVEMBER 2025 Update

========================================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report.
  

========================================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of December 13, 2025

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on December 13, 2025:

====================

Predicted: 226,000

• Actual: 224,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 237,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 217,500

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of December 6, 2025

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on December 6, 2025:

====================

Predicted: 225,000

• Actual: 236,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 192,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 216,750

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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Leading Economic Index for SEPTEMBER 2025

Recently, the Conference Board® released its Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for September 2025:

==============

Index for September 2025: 98.3 (The baseline 100 score is associated with 2016 data.)

==============

Predicted: -0.3%

• Actual: -0.3% (-0.3 point Month-on-Month)
  
  
• Change from 12 Months Ago: -3.34% (-3.4 points)

============== 

• LEI for August 2025: 98.6 
  
  
• LEI for July 2025: 98.9
  
  
• LEI for June 2025: 98.9
  
  
• LEI for May 2025: 99.1
   
• LEI for April 2025: 99.1
  
  
• LEI for March 2025: 100.4
  
  
• LEI for February 2025: 101.2
  
  
• LEI for January 2025: 101.4
  
  
• LEI for December 2024: 101.6
  
  
• LEI for November 2024: 101.7
   
• LEI for October 2024: 101.4
  
  
• LEI for September 2024: 101.7 

==============

The yellow-highlighted percentage is the month-to-month change for the index.  The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

The LEI is a composite of 10 of the nation's economic data releases that's put together by The Conference Board. Statistically, the components listed below have shown a significant increase or decrease before national economic upturns or downturns:

1. The Standard + Poor's 500 Index
   
   
2. Average weekly claims for unemployment insurance
   
   
3. Building permits for new private housing
   
   
4. The interest rate spread between the yield on the benchmark 10-Year Treasury Note and Federal Funds
   
   
5. ISM® Index of New Orders
   
   
6. Manufacturer's new orders for consumer goods or materials
   
   
7. Manufacturer's new orders, non-defense capital goods excluding aircraft orders
   
   
8. Average weekly manufacturing hours
   
   
9. Average consumer expectations for business conditions
   
   
10. Leading Credit Index™

==============

CHART: Leading Economic Index
6-Month Growth Rate
with Warning + Recession Signal
SEPTEMBER 2025 UPDATE

==============

 

From Today's Report:

"...'The US LEI fell again in September, marking a second consecutive decline,' said Justyna Zabinska-La Monica, Senior Manager, Business Cycle Indicators, at The Conference Board.

'Weakening expectations from consumers and businesses led the overall contraction in the Index. Subindexes that contributed negatively to the LEI were consumer expectations and ISM® New Orders Index, followed by manufacturers' new orders of consumer goods & materials, initial claims for unemployment Insurance (inverted), and the yield curve.

However, stock prices, the Leading Credit Index, and manufacturers' new orders of nondefense capital goods excluding aircraft did contribute positively to the Index. The LEI suggests slowing economic activity at the end of 2025 and into early 2026, with GDP weakening after strong mid-year consumer spending and Q4 disruptions amid the federal government shutdown.

Overall, growth remains fragile and uneven as businesses adjust to tariff changes and softer consumer momentum. The Conference Board expects GDP to expand by 1.8% in 2025, before falling to 1.5% in 2026.'..."

==============
 

• Click Here to view the Conference Board report.
  

============== 

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PCE Price Index + Personal Income + Consumer Spending Report for SEPTEMBER 2025

The Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released its report on The PCE Price Index, Consumer Spending and Personal Income for September 2025:

=============

Consumer Spending (Personal Consumption Expenditures)

Previous Reading: N/A

• Actual: +0.3%
  

=============

Personal Income

Previous Reading: N/A

• Actual: +0.4%

=============

The above highlighted percentages represent the month-to-month change in Consumer Spending (aka Personal Consumption Expenditures), Personal Income and Disposable Personal Income for the entire United States.

 

Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) Price Index
Previous Reading: N/A

• Actual: +0.3% 

• Change from 12 months previous: +3.0%
  (prior - revised = +2.9%)

=====================

Core PCE Price Index
( = PCE Price Index minus food and energy)
Previous Reading: N/A

• Actual: +0.2%

• Change from 12 months previous: +3.0%
  (prior - revised = +3.1%)

=====================

The yellow-highlighted percentages represent the month-to-month change in the prices associated with domestic personal consumption.  The PCE Price Index is different from the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in that it is a very broad measure of the prices associated with domestic products and services, while the CPI measures a more limited fixed basket of goods and services.

The broad nature of the PCE Price Index is key to why it is the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation.  The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) pays very close attention to it.

=====================

The "predicted" figures are what economists were expecting, while the "actual" figures are the true or real figure.

=====================

CHART: Change In Monthly Consumer Spending
SEPTEMBER 2025 UPDATE

=====================

 Click here to view the full
Commerce Department report (PDF). 

=====================

* =  Chained dollars is a method of adjusting real dollar amounts for inflation over time, so as to allow comparison of figures from different years. The Commerce Department introduced the chained-dollar measure in 1996. Chained dollars generally reflect dollar figures computed with 2012 as the base year.

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U.S. Factory Shipments During SEPTEMBER 2025

The U.S. Census Bureau this morning released their report on Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders -- also known as Factory Orders -- for September, 2025:

========

Predicted: +1.4%

• Actual: +0.192% (+1,172,000,000)

========

• September, 2025 New Orders: $612,636,000,000.
  
  
• August, 2025 New Orders: $611,464,000,000.
  

========

• Change from 12 Months Ago (Year-on-Year):
  
  +$32,570,000,000 | +5.38% (not seasonally adjusted)
  

 ========

The yellow-highlighted percentage is the seasonally adjusted, month-to-month change in new shipments for both durable and nondurable goods made by U.S. manufacturers. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

=============

CHART: U.S. Factory Orders
SEPTEMBER 2025 Update

=============

• Click here to view the full Census Bureau report.

=============

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Challenger Job Cuts Report for NOVEMBER 2025

The global outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc. released its job cuts report, for November, 2025:

-------------------------------

Job Cuts Announced During November 2025: 71,321

• Previous Month: 153,074

  > Change from previous month: -53.41% (-81,753 cuts)

--------------

• One-Year Previous: 57,727

 > Change from one-year previous: +23.55% (+13,594 cuts)

===================

From Today's Report:

"...WHY ARE COMPANIES CUTTING IN 2025?

In November, Restructuring led all reasons with 20,217 for a total of 128,255 in 2025. Store, unit, or department Closing accounted for 17,140 in November, and 178,531 for the year.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was cited for 6,280 cuts in November. So far this year, AI is responsible for 54,694 layoff plans. Since 2023, when this reason was first cited, AI has led to 71,683 job cut announcements.

Market and Economic Conditions were cited for 15,755 job cuts in November. So far this year, 245,086 job cuts have been attributed to market and/or economic conditions. Tariffs have been cited for 7,908 job cuts this year with 2,061 occurring in November.

Though the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has not been the cause of job cut announcements in two months, “DOGE Impact” remains the leading reason for job cut announcements in 2025, cited in 293,753 planned layoffs so far this year. This includes direct reductions to the Federal workforce and its contractors.

An additional 20,976 cuts have been attributed to DOGE Downstream Impact, which reflects the loss of federal funding to private and non-profit entities..."

 ================

 

If corporate layoffs are high, consumer spending may decline, since there would be fewer people with steady jobs.

When corporate layoffs are low, this can mean that the job market is relatively tight, which can be a harbinger of wage inflation.

================

 Job Cuts - Month-by-Month Totals
NOVEMBER 2025 UPDATE
Copyright © Challenger, Gray and Christmas, Inc.

================

• Click here to read the full Challenger, Gray and Christmas report

=================

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New Unemployment Insurance Claims for The Week of November 29, 2025

Jobless Claims

Earlier today, the Labor Department released its weekly report on New Jobless Insurance Claims for the week that ended on November 29, 2025:

====================

Predicted: 220,000

• Actual: 191,000

====================

The yellow-highlighted figure represents the number of first-time claims for unemployment benefits for the entire United States. The "predicted" figure is what economists were expecting, while the "actual" is the true or real figure.

 --> Previous Week (revised): 218,000

• 4-Week Moving Average: 214,750

====================

• Click here to view the full Labor Department report

====================

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