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US Manufacturing Hits 2-Year High, GDP Growth Under 1%

5/22/2026

24 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. manufacturing rose in May as the flash PMI reached 55.3, the highest since May 2022.
The reading beat Reuters' forecast of 53.8 and stayed above the 50 growth line.
Firms built safety stocks, raising input inventories to an 11-month high.
Supplier delivery times lengthened to August-2022 levels.
Chris Williamson warned that GDP growth may stay below 1% in Q2 as employment fell to a 21-month low.

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Story summary

U.S. manufacturing rose in May as the flash PMI reached 55.3, the highest since May 2022.
The reading beat Reuters' forecast of 53.8 and stayed above the 50 growth line.
Firms built safety stocks, raising input inventories to an 11-month high.
Supplier delivery times lengthened to August-2022 levels.
Chris Williamson warned that GDP growth may stay below 1% in Q2 as employment fell to a 21-month low.