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US factory activity stays steady in April as prices jump to two year highs
Economy
Published on 1 May 2026
A price gauge hit a two year peak
US manufacturing activity held steady in April, according to survey data, even as firms faced growing uncertainty from the Middle East conflict. The key twist: a prices measure surged to 84.6, the highest since April 2022, signaling renewed inflation pressure. The survey suggests businesses are coping with demand but struggling with cost signals.
- US factory activity was steady in April
- Prices measure spiked to 84.6, highest since 2022
- Middle East war weighed on business outlook
- Cost pressures may revive inflation concerns
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times