Fashion
US manufacturing capex, hiring set to rise in 2026: ISM forecast
The outlook reflects improving confidence among purchasing and supply management executives, with revenues expected to increase in 16 of 18 manufacturing industries in 2026. ISM noted that after moderate growth in the first half of the year, manufacturing activity is projected to accelerate in the second half, ISM said in a press release.
In manufacturing, 56 per cent of survey respondents expect revenues to be higher in 2026 than in 2025, with overall manufacturing revenues forecast to rise by a net 4.4 per cent, compared with a 2.5 per cent increase reported for 2025. Despite manufacturing remaining in contraction for the ninth consecutive month in November, executives remain optimistic about a turnaround as the year progresses.
Manufacturing capital expenditures in the US are forecast to rise 3 per cent in 2026 after a 3.5 per cent increase in 2025, while manufacturing employment is expected to grow 0.4 percentage point, according to ISM.
Revenues are projected to increase in most industries, with overall manufacturing revenues up 4.4 per cent.
A stronger second-half momentum supports cautious optimism for 2026.
Manufacturers reported operating at 82.4 per cent of normal capacity, up from 79.2 per cent in May 2025. Production capacity increased 2.8 per cent in 2025 and is expected to expand more sharply by 5.2 per cent in 2026, supported by additional hiring, investment in plant and equipment, longer operating hours, and the replacement of older machinery with more advanced technology.
While 2025 capital expenditures exceeded earlier expectations, rising 3.5 per cent on average, manufacturers anticipate a further 3 per cent increase in 2026. Apparel, transportation equipment, and machinery are among the industries forecasting higher capital outlays next year.
Prices paid for raw materials rose 5.4 per cent in 2025 and are forecast to increase by a net 4.4 per cent in 2026. Labour and benefit costs are expected to rise 2.5 per cent, reflecting continued wage pressures amid a tightening labour market.
On trade, manufacturers expect export activity to increase in the first half of 2026, while imports are projected to remain broadly unchanged. Inventory-to-sales ratios are forecast to edge lower, indicating continued focus on inventory discipline and working capital management, added the release.
Despite expectations of growth, survey respondents are less optimistic about 2026 than they were about 2025 a year earlier. Forty-four per cent believe 2026 will be better than 2025, 37 per cent expect conditions to remain the same, and 19 per cent believe 2026 will be worse. The resulting diffusion index for the 2026 outlook stands at 62.4 per cent, slightly lower than the 63.5 per cent recorded for 2025, suggesting cautious optimism amid lingering economic and cost uncertainties.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
The programme is jointly implemented by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the World Customs Organization and UK Customs.
The UK has committed around $1.25 million in funding for the ‘Accelerate Trade Facilitation’ programme for the 2026-2029 period.
The programme is jointly implemented by UNCTAD, the World Customs Organization and UK Customs.
The latest phase will expand the programme’s capacity-building activities and introduce the Reform Tracker tool to up to three additional countries.
For more than a decade, the programme has supported over 30 economies to speed up the movement of goods and strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors.
“We will build on the strong and sustained impact achieved by partner countries over the last 11 years of the programme, strengthening national trade facilitation committees and driving practical, lasting reforms that make trade simpler, faster and more inclusive while supporting economic growth,” said Megan Shaw, deputy director of international customs and border engagement at UK Customs in an UNCTAD release.
The programme will continue to place national trade facilitation committees (NTFCs) at the core of its work. NTFCs serve as coordination platforms where government agencies and businesses identify bottlenecks, agree on priorities and advance trade facilitation reforms.
UNCTAD has supported them through specialised training, including via its trade facilitation e-learning platform, and practical tools such as the Reform Tracker. The tool helps countries monitor progress on trade facilitation reforms and keep society-wide collaborators aligned.
“These reforms contribute to a trading environment that is faster, cheaper, more transparent and more predictable—conditions that help businesses compete and grow,” said Angel Gonzalez Sanz, officer-in-charge of UNCTAD’s division on technology and logistics.
The 2026-2029 phase will expand the programme’s capacity-building activities and introduce the Reform Tracker to up to three additional countries.
These efforts will help deepen digitalisation and improve coordination between border agencies—measures crucial to reducing costs and processing times for traders.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
The gross profit reached SEK 25,138 million (~$2.39 billion), with the gross margin improving to 50.7 per cent from 49.1 per cent a year earlier, supported by lower markdown costs and more efficient sourcing.
H&M has reported net sales of SEK 49,607 million (~$4.72 billion) in Q1 FY26, with sales down 1 per cent in local currencies.
Improved cost control lifted gross margin to 50.7 per cent and operating profit rose 26 per cent.
The net profit increased to SEK 704 million (~$75.05 million), while inventory fell 16 per cent.
Currency effects weighed on revenue despite stronger margins and improving sales.
The operating profit rose by 26 per cent to SEK 1,512 million, lifting the operating margin to 3 per cent from 2.2 per cent. Selling and administrative expenses declined by 1 per cent in local currencies and by 9 per cent in SEK terms, reflecting continued cost discipline, H&M said in a press release.
The net profit after tax (PAT) increased to SEK 704 million (~$75.05 million), with earnings per share (EPS) improving to SEK 0.45 from SEK 0.37. Inventory management also showed progress, with stock-in-trade falling 16 per cent to SEK 34,608 million, indicating improved inventory productivity.
However, sales in SEK terms were impacted by a currency translation effect of just over 9 percentage points due to the strengthened Swedish krona. The quarter began with weaker demand following strong Black Friday trading, though sales trends improved towards the end, supported by spring collections.
“Good cost control and improved gross margin contributed to strengthened profitability in a quarter marked by cautious consumption and large currency translation effects,” said Daniel Erver, CEO at H&M.
Looking ahead, H&M expects March 2026 sales to rise by 1 per cent in local currencies. The company also highlighted its sustainability progress, noting that 32 per cent of materials used in 2025 were recycled, while 91 per cent were either recycled or sustainably sourced.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
A total of 25 pilot investments led by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have progressed from the lab to near-market stage under RegioGreenTex, a three-year European Union (EU)-funded project that recently concluded. Most of these are expected to be commercialised within one to three years.
Twenty five pilot investments led by SMEs moved from lab to near‑market under RegioGreenTex, an EU-funded project that ended recently.
Most of these are expected to commercialise in one to three years.
Five regional hubs mapped SME needs and developed services and value chains as well as tools to help SMEs.
These are now open for collaboration and the pilot portfolio is primed for investors and adopters.
At least 70 per cent of the EU grant was allocated to SMEs. A total of 43 partners from 11 regions across eight countries participated in the project, leveraging their expertise towards a common goal of advancing industry and research.
RegioGreenTex was one of the first projects funded under the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument programme that focused on process, service and business model innovation, developing advanced textile recycling technologies, regional recycling hubs, and a digital ecosystem for matchmaking and capacity building.
Five regional hubs mapped SME needs and developed services and value chains as well as tools that keep helping SMEs, an official release said.
The RegioGreenTex Digital Tool keeps matchmaking, sharing trainings and hosting the participants’ knowledge base.
The Waste Wizard shows how artificial intelligence-enhanced matchmaking can link leftover textiles with the right reuse or recycling routes.
From recycled-content yarn processes (Tintex) to Recycrom low-impact dyeing (Officina39), ultrasonic quilting for full recyclability (Rovitex) and hybrid recycled-fibre yarns (Hilaturas Mar), the pilots showed concrete, repeatable ways to cut impact without losing performance.
The hubs are now open for collaboration, the digital tools are live and the pilot portfolio is primed for investors and adopters.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
UK commits $1.25 mn to trade facilitation programme for 2026–29
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