U.S. manufacturing growth steadied in August at the slowest pace in over two years, while a measure of materials costs declined for a fifth-straight month in a welcome sign inflationary pressures are abating.

Production at U.S. factories declined in June for a second month, restrained by higher inventories and a softer economic outlook.

Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives plan to introduce legislation meant to approve funding that would enhance domestic semiconductor manufacturing, the party’s leadership indicated recently.

A measure of U.S. manufacturing fell short of expectations at the end of 2021, reflecting declines in gauges of delivery times and prices that belie an otherwise solid demand picture.

Japan’s industrial production jumped by a record in November, adding to evidence that a manufacturing recovery from supply chain snags was solidly underway before the omicron variant started to spread around the globe.

Persistent supply chain challenges continued to weigh on U.S. manufacturers in October, lengthening supplier delivery times and bloating a measure of inventories.

An owner of commodity hauling freighters said rates for the ships are close to the point of spiking sharply higher and mirroring an unprecedented surge in costs for transporting manufactured goods.

A measure of U.S. manufacturing activity expanded in June at the fastest pace in records dating back to 2007, fueled by easing pandemic restrictions and a strengthening domestic economy.

U.S. manufacturing output rose in April by slightly more than expected, suggesting further improvement for factories that are otherwise buffeted by supply shortages and shipping challenges.

WASHINGTON — U.S. manufacturing expanded in February at the fastest pace in three years with the arrival of a surge in new orders.