U.S. Manufacturing Activity Contracted to Close Out 2025

Group 1 - The U.S. manufacturing sector is experiencing prolonged sluggishness, expected to continue into 2026, impacting employees negatively [1] - The Institute for Supply Management's Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) for December was reported at 47.9, a decrease from 48.2 in November and below the expected 48.7 [1] - The December PMI reading marks the tenth consecutive month below the growth threshold of 50, indicating ongoing contraction in the manufacturing sector [2] Group 2 - The January 2025 PMI reading was positive at 50.9, ending a streak of 26 consecutive months below 50, which is one of the worst periods for manufacturers historically [2]