Economics
Metalworking Index Softens in August, But Production Strengthens
New orders and hiring pulled back, trimming the reading to 54.8, but a stronger production pace and easing costs kept the market's eighth straight month of expansion intact.
Mike Shirk
Senior Market Research Analyst, GROW Industrial Intelligence
Metalworking Growth Strengthens in April Despite Emerging Pressures
April’s rebound underscores strong activity, though supply bottlenecks and pricing pressures challenge the outlook.
Read MoreMetalworking Index Continues Expansion Into March
Material prices are on the rise but overall conditions remain strong for metalworking.
Read MoreNo Slowing Down – Metalworking Index Continues Climb
Broad-based growth builds on early-year momentum to push GBI: Metalworking further into expansion in February.
Read MoreMetalworking Index Surges Into Expansion
January’s GBI: Metalworking results delivered an impressive start to 2026 with the strongest reading in over three years.
Read MoreMetalworking Index Closes 2025 With a Slight Uptick
Eyeing a positive 2026, the GBI: Metalworking is primed for a push to expansion.
Read MoreMetalworking Index Hits Seasonal Slump in November
Consistent with previous years, the GBI: Metalworking reported underperformance in November compared to October.
Read More
Metalworking Index Eases in July but Extends Expansion to Seven Months
Production and new orders held their ground while a pullback in hiring trimmed the reading.
Mike Shirk
Senior Market Research Analyst, GROW Industrial Intelligence
Metalworking Index Steady Again in October
The GBI: Metalworking continues to hover just below the threshold for expansion.
Read MoreMetalworking Index Continues Steady Climb in September
The pace is slow, but the GBI: Metalworking is moving in the right direction for the third consecutive month.
Read MoreMetalworking Index Inches up to 49.0 in August
The GBI: Metalworking continues to hover just below expansion, but shops are cautiously optimistic.
Read MoreMetalworking Index Sees Little Change in July
The GBI: Metalworking remains stable at 48.3, with July in nearly the same position as June.
Read MoreMetalworking Activity Sees Minor Drop in June
Positive results in employment trends and production are offset by supplier deliveries, among other components.
Read MoreMetalworking Index Rebounds in May but Short of Expansion
Activity picked up again after April’s stall reflecting tariff policy’s impact on manufacturing.
Read More
Metalworking Index Holds Steady in June, Extending Expansion to Six Months
The GBI: Metalworking didn’t budge from May, but lengthening lead times and high material prices offset softer backlogs and production.
Mike Shirk
Senior Market Research Analyst, GROW Industrial Intelligence
After Brief Expansion, Metalworking Index Fell to 46 in April
Metalworking industry begins to feel the impact of tariff uncertainty as business activity slows.
Read MoreMetalworking Index Reaches Expansion for First Time in 2 Years
After two years of contraction, the Metalworking Index has finally turned a corner. A recovery that started in October has reached a milestone, fueled by increased production and new orders, signaling cautious optimism for the industry.
Read MoreMetalworking Activity Continues to Improve in February
On the cusp of expansion, key index components reveal strengthening business conditions.
Read MoreMetalworking Index Continues Climb into 2025
Steady improvement is short of expansion but component readings and future outlook remain strong.
Read MoreMetalworking Index Shows Continued Recovery
December marks third consecutive month of metalworking improvement on the heels of increased supplier deliveries.
Read MoreOptimism Grows as Metalworking Index Improves Again in November
A sharp increase in future business expectations underscores hopeful conditions in 2025.
Read More
Metalworking Index Holds Expansion in May
Employment led all components, but climbing material costs reading temper an otherwise steady month.
Mike Shirk
Senior Market Research Analyst, GROW Industrial Intelligence
Metalworking Contraction Slows Slightly in October
While still in a state of contraction, some indicators are improving in the metalworking market.
Read MoreMarket Indicators Continue to Soften in Metalworking
The overall metalworking index is down more than a point, but future business is up slightly.
Read MoreMetalworking Activity Stabilizes in July
July closed at 44.2, which interrupts what had been three months straight of accelerating contraction.
Read MoreMetalworking Activity Trends Down Again in June
The Metalworking Index closed at 44.3 in June, down 1.2 points relative to May, marking a 2024 low.
Read MoreMetalworking Activity Trends Downward in May
Accelerated contraction and declines in business optimism span manufacturing segments. Odds are that broad-reaching economic factors are at play.
Read MoreMetalworking Activity Trends Slightly Downward in April
The interruption after what had been three straight months of slowing contraction may indicate growing conservatism as interest rates and inflation fail to come down.
Read More
