Overview
- Argentina’s statistics agency reported Friday that factories used 54.6% of installed capacity in February, up one point from January yet four points below the same month in 2025.
- Sector data in Argentina showed petroleum refining running hot at 88.9% while metalworking was at 33.9% and automotive at 38.9%, with the metal side dragged by sharp drops in farm machinery and home appliances.
- Mexico’s manufacturing output rose 3.4% from January and 0.9% year over year in February, led by big gains in petroleum‑derived products and electronics after a weak start to 2026.
- Mexico’s labor gauges were mixed in February as manufacturing jobs fell 0.3% while total hours edged up 0.2% and real average pay inched 0.1% higher.
- Capacity utilization tracks how much of factories’ maximum potential is in use, and Argentina’s two‑month average near 54% is the weakest since 2002, a sign of idle lines that means fewer shifts and thinner orders for suppliers.