Is the glass half empty or half full? Manufacturing stats

Failing to grow is old news. Rising to 47.2% after 6 months below 40% is new news.

Which global will be ready for the rebound? The ones that can move the fastest. It's not about size, it's about speed and feet on the ground.

Meanwhile, what a shame that so many smart, experienced feet on the ground have been eliminated instead of repurposed. They could have been set up as quasi independent micro business, mentoring and moving information to the ground troops. Traded the pension obligations for common or preferred. Get all the incentives nicely in a row. Maybe it will be the approach in the next downturn, assuming the same globals are still globals.

Manufacturing Sector Fails To Grow For The 15th Consecutive Month -
@Printing Industry News from WhatTheyThink:
"Monday, May 04, 2009

(Tempe, Arizona) - Economic activity in the manufacturing sector failed to grow in April for the 15th consecutive month, and the overall economy contracted for the seventh consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.

After six consecutive months below the 40-percent mark, the PMI, driven by the New Orders Index at 47.2 percent, shows a significant improvement.