Keyword: Economy

Order intake in the US machinery sector slows down in May but retains growth compared to the previous year.

The order intakes in mechanical engineering decreased by a real 6 percent in April compared to the previous year. An expected dampener, given the uncertainty caused by US tariff policy.

The mechanical engineering sector started the year with a cautious export result. However, March showed a slight upward trend. But the weaknesses of the markets in China and the EU remain significant.

The first quarter of 2025 resulted in an order increase of a total of 4 percent - it was the first positive quarterly balance of orders in three years. March also closed with a pleasing order increase of 4 percent.

Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the USA decreased by an annual rate of 0.3 percent in the first quarter of 2025 (January, February, and March), reports the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

The order index for machine tools has increased in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The overall result of orders in 2024 in mechanical and plant engineering is disappointing. The wait for a turnaround continues. Better framework conditions at the German location are an important aspect.