The U.S. manufacturing sector showed a modest pickup in activity at the start of the year, with the S&P Global Manufacturing PMI rising to 52.4 in January 2026 from a previous reading of 51.9. The latest data, updated on 2 February 2026, indicate a further move into expansion territory for the industry, which is signaled by readings above the 50.0 threshold.
The incremental improvement suggests that operating conditions for U.S. manufacturers continued to strengthen over the month, with January’s reading marking a slight but notable acceleration compared with the prior level. While the gain is not large, it points to ongoing resilience in the manufacturing landscape as the sector maintains its expansionary path.
