A significant drop in factory orders
In
September 2023, factory orders in the United States declined by 0.5%, a figure that aligns with analysts’ forecasts. This decline is particularly significant considering that the August survey was revised downwards, from an initial -0.2% to a more worrying -0.8%. These data suggest a certain weakness in the manufacturing sector, which could have repercussions
on the entire American economy.
Durable goods orders and growth trends
Analyzing in more detail, durable goods orders fell by 0.7%, compared to the expected -0.8%. However, excluding the transport sector, the figure shows an increase of 0.5%, exceeding expectations by +0.4%. This could indicate some resilience in specific sectors, suggesting that, despite the difficulties, there are areas of growth that could support the economy in the short term
.
Implications for the market and companies
Recent fluctuations in factory orders have raised concerns among investors and analysts. With the cautious start in Piazza Affari and in Europe, all eyes are on the upcoming elections in the United States and on the Federal Reserve meeting scheduled for Thursday. The political and economic decisions that will emerge from these events could further influence investor confidence and business strategies. Companies, in particular those active in the renewable energy and offshore wind energy sector, are trying to adapt to a constantly evolving environment, as demonstrated by the agreement between UniCredit and Alpha Services and Holdings for the acquisition of the majority in Alpha
Bank Romania.