The ISM’s PMI came in at 58.4 for January, which is significantly higher than I expected (I was thinking it would be around 55). This is the highest number in five years, and it is a clear indicator that the recovery we started seeing in the fourth quarter is showing signs of sustainability. [...]

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Buyers of chemicals always need to know what’s happening in their markets, and more importantly what will happen, to make informed purchasing decisions. The problem is that forecasting chemicals markets is more of an art than a science, and well-structured (but subsequently erroneous) predictions have made some of the best analysts look like novices [...]

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This week, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) released their manufacturing and services numbers for December. The non-manufacturing (services) number came in at 50.1%, which was right around expectations. While it did move slightly into the “growth” region (above 50), it certainly did not blow away the street and indicate that all is on the [...]

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On December 30th, the EPA announced plans to place greater restrictions on 4 types of chemicals; phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and perfluorinated chemicals. To quote the EPA’s press release:
EPA intends to establish a “Chemicals of Concern” list and is beginning a process that may lead to regulations requiring significant risk [...]

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The Sunday New York Times reported on a surge in temp labor hiring. Indeed, the November temporary labor hiring numbers were relatively strong. To quote the Times:
“Last month 52,000 temps were added, greater than the number of new workers in any other category. Not even health care and government, stalwarts through the long recession, did [...]

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