Boom Times for Manufacturing

Popular Economics Weekly

A measure used by economists to track investment, known as core capital orders (minus defense and aircraft), rose 4 percent in the 12 months ended in September. It has risen 1.3 percent for three consecutive months, according to the Commerce Department.

Core orders are spent domestically for the most part, so this is happening just when it’s needed—to rebuild the hurricane and wildfire damaged states of Florida, Texas, California, as well as U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Graph: FRED

It will also boost economic growth, since it boosts labor productivity, one of the two components that determine GDP growth. The other component is population growth, but the U.S. population is barely growing, as is immigration that supplies the majority of new workers.

The main beneficiary of higher capex spending will be manufacturing, which is already showing improvement with a cheaper dollar exchange rate that has boosted exports.

And today we have durable-goods orders that rose 2.2 percent in September, beating forecasts. Durable goods are all goods that last three or more years—including auto vehicles, defense and aircraft. These orders have climbed 7.8 percent in the past year, the fastest pace since early 2012.

“Strength in the manufacturing sample is centered in new orders and employment,” says Econoday. “Of special note are unusual delivery delays, which help lift the composite indexes and are the result of lingering disruptions and stretched workloads following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.”

So we are seeing effects of the hurricanes in boosting economic activity. The role of capital expenditures is especially important, as it means the replacement of much of our aging infrastructure as well.

And don’t forget at least 1 million motor vehicles were destroyed by the hurricanes that will need to be replaced. But buyers shopping for used replacement vehicles should be aware of the pitfalls of those storm-damaged cars that are put back on the market.

Consumers should take precautions like getting a history of repairs and checking the VIN number in the National Insurance Crime Bureau and National Motor Vehicle Title Information System databases, reports Fortune Magazine. Even without a database, strange stains and smells can be a red flag that a car has weathered a flood. Consumers buy a used car should check for signs of water damage — mineral deposits, mildew and the smell of mold or overpowering scents of cleaning supplies that may be trying to mask it.

Harlan Green © 2017

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