Mid-Atlantic factory activity almost stalls

The number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits dropped from more than a two-year high last week, pointing to sustained labor market strength.

While other data on Thursday showed factory activity in the mid-Atlantic region almost stalling this month, manufacturers received more orders, increased shipments and working hours for employees. Their outlook for capital expenditure over the next six months was also upbeat, offering some tentative signs of a turnaround in manufacturing amid an easing in tensions in the 17-month trade war between the United States and China.

The trade tensions bruised business confidence and weighed on capital expenditure, leading to a downturn in national manufacturing activity. But dark clouds continue to loom over manufacturing, which accounts for 11% of the economy. Boeing <BA.N> announced on Monday it would suspend production of its best-selling 737 MAX jetliner in January as fallout from two fatal crashes of the now-grounded aircraft drags into 2020.

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