The Perc Report is released on the first business day of each month. It includes monthly highlights on the most recent economic and plastics industry data along with recent activities, articles, and blogs you may have missed.
Economic Data
At the June 16-17 meeting, the Federal Reserve left the federal funds rate unchanged at a target range of 3.50% to 3.75%, marking another policy decision under the leadership of Fed Chair Kevin Warsh. The Fed signaled that it is in no hurry to cut rates, citing the need for further progress on inflation.
The 30-year fixed rate mortgage average in the U.S. was 6.47% on June 18, 2026—lower than the 6.81% a year earlier but remaining above 6.0% since September 15, 2022.
WTI and Brent crude oil prices continued their decline, ending June at $70.1 and $73.4 per barrel, respectively, as the United States and Iran agreed on a ceasefire framework, easing concerns about disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
New single-family home sales decreased 7.3% in May and new residential construction fell 15.4%.
Monthly retail and food services sales increased 0.9% to $763.7 billion in May. Motor vehicle and parts dealers experienced a 1.2% increase in retail sales.
Plastics Demand Estimate
Plastics demand edged down 0.2% in April from March and was 1.4% lower than a year earlier. Despite the monthly decline, demand remained above $23.0 billion for the second consecutive month in April, indicating that the underlying trend in plastics demand remained broadly stable
To access the latest Plastics Demand Estimate, click here.
Plastics Industry Data
Following three consecutive monthly declines, total plastics and rubber products inventories rose 0.6% in April to $35.3 billion. Despite the monthly increase, inventories were 0.3% lower than a year earlier.
U.S. plastics and rubber products corporations reported $51.7 billion in net sales, receipts, and operating revenues in the first quarter of 2026, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's Quarterly Financial Report. This was down from $55.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025 but up slightly from $51.4 billion a year earlier.
U.S. imports of molds for plastics manufacturing totaled $76.5 million (customs value) during January–April 2026. Mold imports fell 24.1% in April from March and were 37.9% lower than a year earlier.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Producer Price Index (PPI) for plastic bottle manufacturing increased 1.6% in May from the previous month. On a year-over-year basis, the index was up 3.8%.
The manufacturer’s value of plastics and rubber products shipments increased for three consecutive months reaching $26.0 billion in April—a 0.8% increase from the previous month and 3.2% from April last year.
Latest Data on Plastics End Market
Motor vehicle assemblies were slightly lower in May 2026 than a year earlier but remained well above their November 2025 low. Light vehicle sales were largely stable over the past year, rebounding to about 16 million units annually after a brief dip in January 2026.
The second-quarter Plastics Quarterly Forecast—the only publication offering a quarterly outlook on the plastics industry supply chain, economic conditions, and end-market trends—will be released during the first week of July.
Access the forecast here to stay ahead of what may be coming next.
