While conditions in the US labor market remain dire with initial and continuing jobless claim registering persistently high levels, other surveys are showing early reasons for optimism. The US ISM (Institute of Supply Management) produces several influential surveys of their members, and they have released key reports on the impact of COVID-19 on US business trends. The December surveys on US Manufacturing New Orders and Business Production suggest that purchasing managers are optimistic. In fact, the New Orders reading stands at a level not seen since 2004. This is a critical development because, if business optimism remains elevated, eventually staffing will have to expand bringing job seekers back to work. A lot needs to occur for the economy to fully recover — vaccines need to be distributed in mass and be effective, people need to feel comfortable re-engaging in economic activity, and states need to allow businesses and schools to reopen. We believe supply managers are seeing beyond these significant near-term challenges to an economic recovery in the quarters ahead. [chart courtesy US ISM, Bloomberg LP © 2021]
