The Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing survey is due at the start of the November 2 trading week, giving businesses and investors a fresh indication of factory conditions. The Associated Press said the survey is expected to show continued modest expansion, while companies continue to report pressure from rising costs.
The ISM manufacturing index is closely watched because it combines information about new orders, production, employment, supplier deliveries and inventories. Readings above 50 generally indicate expansion, while readings below 50 point to contraction in the surveyed manufacturing sector.
New orders can provide clues about future production, while supplier delivery times and prices paid can reveal bottlenecks or inflationary pressure. Employment components may also help investors understand whether manufacturers are adding workers or managing costs through slower hiring.
The survey is not a complete measure of the U.S. economy, which is dominated by services, but it offers a timely view of industrial demand. Companies will compare the results with actual orders, export conditions and quarterly earnings guidance before making investment decisions.
Source: Associated Press, November 1, 2026 — https://apnews.com/article/68760a6faf7f819673481d4246577c83
