The ISM Manufacturing PMI registered 54.0% in May 2026 — the highest reading since May 2022 (55.9%) and the fifth consecutive month of manufacturing expansion. New Orders surged to 56.8% from 54.1% in April. The May print frames the 19th consecutive month of overall US economic expansion.
Across the border, Canada confirmed Friday that real GDP contracted at -0.1% annualized in Q1 2026 — dramatically below 1.5% consensus — with Q4 2025 revised down to -1.0%; the Canadian economy has now contracted in three of the last four quarters, confirming a technical recession.
Berkshire Hathaway announced it would acquire Taylor Morrison Home for $6.8 billion all-cash, the first major deal under CEO Greg Abel and the largest since Occidental’s petrochemicals business in January.
US markets opened softer Monday after Friday’s record May close: Nasdaq -0.08%, S&P 500 -0.08%, Dow -0.23%, Russell 2000 -0.59%.
Today’s USA & Canada Intelligence Brief covers domestic finance, markets, economy, and politics — compiled across English and French Canadian sources.
