US manufacturing activity surged in June as businesses stocked up anticipating shortages and price hikes, driven by Middle East conflict impacts. However, factory employment plunged to a six-year low due to rising operational costs. Despite peace talks offering some confidence, inflation concerns persist, leading manufacturers to cut jobs. This trend contrasts with official payroll data, suggesting private surveys may not always predict broader employment figures.

S&P Global flagged “an ongoing bifurcation of the economy, with sluggish service sector growth contrasting with an increasingly solid manufacturing expansion.”

US manufacturing activity surged in June as businesses stocked up anticipating shortages and price hikes, driven by Middle East conflict impacts. However, factory employment…