Operating conditions in the US manufacturing sector improved for a fourth successive month in November. A solid rise in production and a further increase in employment was reported as confidence in the outlook strengthened. However, current sector performance was limited by a considerable slowdown in demand growth, in part due to weak sales, which in turn contributed to an unprecedented rise in stock of finished goods for a second month in a row. Inflationary pressures meanwhile remained historically elevated. Tariffs were again frequently mentioned by panelists as having driven input costs higher, although the ... (full story)