WASHINGTON — U.S. factories grew at a slower pace in September as manufacturers continued to cope with supply disruptions stemming from trade disputes with China, Europe, Mexico and Canada. The trade group of purchasing managers said its manufacturing index fell last month to 59.8 from 61.3 in August. Uncertainty over U.S. trade policy and tariffs continues to dominate industry concerns, with executives responding to the survey citing chaotic market conditions. For supply managers, “I would call every day a chaotic event,” Timothy Fiore, chair of ISM’s manufacturing survey committee, said in a telephone interview. The economy, fueled in part by tax cuts enacted in December, expanded in the April-June quarter at a 4.2 per cent annual pace, the best in nearly four years.

Source: National Post October 01, 2018 15:56 UTC