Benchmark
Chemical Makers Signal U.S. Manufacturing to Slow
Slumping chemical index suggests U.S. industrial production will decline further
The Dupont Building at 1007 Market houses the corporate headquarters for the E.I. Dupont de Nemours Company, in Wilmington, De. Thursday Oct. 3, 2002(Photograph by Jim Graham)
Photographer: JIM GRAHAMThis article is for subscribers only.
Chemical industry activity is slowing, which isn't a good sign for the future of U.S. industrial output.
One of the big questions surrounding the outlook for the U.S. expansion is how slowing growth abroad and a strong dollar will affect U.S. exports and manufacturing. The Federal Reserve's index of industrial production has slowed this year, rising 1.3 percent for the 12 months ending July, down from a 4.5 percent gain at the start of the year.