ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: August 2016

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity worsened notably in August with the overall PMI falling into contraction.

At 49.4 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined 6.08% from July and slumped over 6% below the level seen a year earlier.

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: May 2016

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity improved slightly in May staying just above the contraction level for a third straight month.

At 51.3 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) increased 0.98% from April but fell 2.84% below the level seen a year earlier.

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: April 2016

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity slowed in April staying just above the contraction level for a second straight month.

At 50.8 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined 1.93% from March and fell 1.36% below the level seen a year earlier.

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: March 2016

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity improved in March rebounding back into expansion after five consecutive months of contraction.

At 51.8 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) rose 4.65% from February and rose 0.58% above the level seen a year earlier.

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: February 2016

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity remained weak in February continuing to contract for a fifth consecutive month.

At 49.5 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) rose 2.7% from January but slumped 6.43% below the level seen a year earlier giving a solid indication of contraction for manufacturing.

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: January 2016

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity remained weak in January with many components continuing to indicate contraction.

At 48.2 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) rose a slight 0.42% from December but slumped 9.91% below the level seen a year earlier giving a solid indication of contraction for manufacturing.

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: December 2015

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity weakened in December with nearly all components now indicating contraction.

At 48.2 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined 0.82% from November and falling 12.52% below the level seen a year earlier giving a solid indication of contraction for manufacturing.

Further, the Imports Index declined to recessionary levels, Customer Inventories have mounted indicating notable inventory build while the prices index slid to the lowest level since April 2009.

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: September 2013

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity improved in September.

At 56.2 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) rose 0.5% from August and climbing above the level seen a year earlier giving an indication of improving conditions for manufacturing.

Respondent assessments still appear to be hopeful with several noting strength and positive outlook:

"Global sales generally trending moderately higher." (Textile Mills)

"Slight increase in demand. Forecast looks better. 4Q looking better than 3Q — should begin to see demand increase in October/November." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"Raw materials shortages continue. General trends are up, which enhances shortage issues." (Wood Products)

"Overall business is flat to down across the board." (Machinery)

"Housing continues to improve, resulting in improved conditions for our industry." (Furniture & Related Products)

"Rising costs of China labor has us re-evaluating our current position in that country." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Steady increase in work this month." (Primary Metals)

"Overall business is picking up." (Transportation Equipment)

"Outlook remains strong with housing market and customer orders." (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)

"Labor rates along the Gulf Coast are rising with the increased activity of construction and maintenance projects." (Chemical Products)

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: August 2013

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity improved in August.

At 55.7 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) rose 0.54% since July and climbed 9.86% above the level seen a year earlier giving an indication of improving conditions for manufacturing.

Respondent assessments still appear to be hopeful though overall assessments appear to indicate emerging weakness:

"Slight improvements in both domestic and international sales." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Business is slowing down, not sure why — but we may end up below last year's sales levels, whereas we had forecast 6.5 percent growth." (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)

"Material prices continue to be favorable; business is steady." (Paper Products)

"Slowing down slightly, but still stronger than last year by 20 percent." (Furniture & Related Products)

"Military slowdown affecting business." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Summer seasonal businesses are doing well after a late start." (Printing & Related Support Activities)

"Still not seeing the year we had expected. Cautious about the balance of 2013." (Machinery)

"Tight government spending still affecting business." (Transportation Equipment)

"With improved weather outlook in the central states, agricultural prices are relaxing year over year." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"We have benefitted from the Yen; seeing a 20 percent decrease in material costs from 2012 to 2013." (Chemical Products)

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: May 2013

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity slumped into contraction territory in May for only the second time since August of 2008.

At 49.0 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined 3.35% since April and dropped 6.67% below the level seen a year earlier giving an indication of slowing manufacturing activity for the third consecutive month.

Respondent assessments appear mixed with some sounding a cautious tone while others remain more upbeat:


"Customers are anticipating resin price decreases and holding back orders." (Plastics & Rubber Products)
"Slight uptick in overall business but not substantial." (Textile Mills)

"Government spending has tightened, which has moved out program awards and caused some reduction in force." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Market outlook is relatively flat, with some promise of raw materials inflation relaxing." (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)

"General economy seems sluggish and pensive. Buyers are not buying much beyond lead times." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Downturn in European and Chinese markets is having a negative effect on our business." (Machinery)

"We are having a difficult time hiring skilled employees." (Transportation Equipment)

"Business continues to increase, but over the past 20 days we have seen the trend flatten." (Furniture & Related Products)

"Market was holding strong until mid-month — then softened." (Wood Products)

"Decline in sales for FYQ2 over same period a year ago due to softer demand [in] both domestic and exports." (Chemical Products)

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: April 2013

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity declined in April.

At 50.7 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined 1.17% since March and dropped 6.28% below the level seen a year earlier giving an indication of slowing manufacturing activity for the second consecutive month.

Respondents appear generally positive overall with many citing strong trends and steady pace:


"Business can be described as flat at best." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"Production is still strong; several new projects to support alternative energy." (Primary Metals)

"Slight uptick in business, but overall continuing slowdown in defense due to budget/sequester." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"We have concerns about safety of doing business in South Korea. Our largest customer and part owner is in South Korea." (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)

"Automotive demand remains firm." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Business continues at a steady pace." (Machinery)

"General business conditions and industrial markets remain strong." (Transportation Equipment)

"Seasonal pick-up underway in the office furniture industry." (Furniture & Related Products)

"Market has slowed this month — weather in some parts of the country, also customers built inventory in anticipation of building increase, but the economy is still slow to pick up this spring." (Wood Products)

"Overall, volume is steady or slightly declining. Q1 sales volume is lower than projected." (Chemical Products)

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: November 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity declined in November.

At 49.5 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined 4.26% since October and dropped 5.17% below the level seen a year earlier giving an indication of contracting manufacturing activity for the fourth time in six months.

Respondents now appear to have decidedly negative assessments with most indicating sluggish activity and even some mention of looming recession:

"Conditions still appear to be positive for continued growth in sales." (Machinery)

"Business is steady, but not much more than that. We are in a lull." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"The principle business conditions that will affect the company over the next three or four quarters will be the U.S. federal government tax and budgetary policies; the impact of those policies is not yet clear." (Petroleum & Coal Products)

"Differences between first half of year and remaining half are very dramatic, growing to a peak in the middle of the year with a gradual decline since." (Plastics & Rubber Products)

"Seeing a slowdown in request for quote activity." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"The fiscal cliff is the big worry right now. We will not look toward any type of expansion until this is addressed; if the program that is put in place is more taxes and big spending cuts — which will push us toward recession — forget it." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Seeing a slowdown in demand across markets." (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)

"Economy is very sluggish. Production is down and orders have slowed considerably from Q1." (Transportation Equipment)

"East Coast storms delayed some shipments." (Primary Metals)

"Global economic uncertainty still seems to be sticking around which is not necessarily making things worse, but it is also not making things better from a demand standpoint." (Chemical Products)

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: September 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity improved in September.

At 51.5 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) rose 3.83% since August remaining 1.90% below the level seen a year earlier.

Respondents now appear to have mixed assessments of the current state of the economy with some reporting continued weakness while others see a better Q4:

"Appears that our so-called 'slowdown' was a summer thing. September brings with it increasing requirements and business." (Paper Products)

"Business improved through Q3, but is beginning to show signs of slowing down in Q4; this has been a typical trend over the last few years." (Wood Products)

"Business has picked up going into the last quarter." (Plastics & Rubber Products)

"We are sticking to our manufacturing plan, but have slowed production down considerably. Haven't added any new units to the 2012 plan, and still have no forecast for 2013 released." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Sales have tanked over the last two months, bringing a very concerned and stressed management team. Not very optimistic for the near-term future." (Apparel, Leather & Allied Products)

"Uncertainty in the healthcare legislation (reform) continues to be the underlying force keeping our sales revenue below its full potential." (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)

"Steel and aluminum prices still dropping, and auto production orders are up." (Transportation Equipment)

"Domestic business is up; international is down." (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)

"Demand seems to have stabilized from August. New orders are appearing this month without advanced notice from our customers." (Chemical Products)

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: August 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity slowed in August.

At 49.6 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) rose 0.40% since July remaining 5.52% below the level seen a year earlier.

Respondents appear to have completed a significant about-face from the optimistic views expressed earlier in the year as they indicated that "slowing" is now the best description of manufacturing activity:

"Internal indicators and feedback from sales channels are indicating a slowdown in demand for capital equipment." (Machinery)

"Business continues to be very solid, but there is now a slowing of incoming orders." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Incoming orders have slowed somewhat, but indications are that there will be a stronger fourth quarter." (Plastics & Rubber Products)

"Business is slow right now. Companies seem to be holding onto their money." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"We can sense, feel and see headwinds with customer orders, especially Europe related." (Apparel, Leather & Allied Products)

"New orders and backlog remain flat." (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)

"Auto industry slowing a bit in the second half [of the year]." (Transportation Equipment)

"U.S. drought severely impacting raw materials prices." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"Lackluster demand continues in all regions of the world, and is supporting much lower raw materials prices in the second half of 2012." (Chemical Products)

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: April 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity improved in April.

At 54.8 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) rose 2.62% since March remaining 8.21% below the level seen a year earlier.

Respondents indicated that while there is still some slowness and caution, outlook was overall positive going forward:

"We expect our production levels to remain at the current level or increase over the next quarter." (Chemical Products)

"In general, demand remains strong for products, and we [are experiencing] more supply disruptions now than four to five months ago." (Machinery)

"The economy was off to a good start through the first quarter, but the European issues keep coming up as well as the recent disappointing jobs report. It appears that some of the early gains may be temporary." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Warm weather in Midwest appears to have helped soft drink sales." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"Positive increase in volume of sales and orders, and slight uptick in inventories, indicate the overall outlook remains robust through summer at least." (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)

"Sales are slowing." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Business conditions on a national scale have a very positive outlook for the commercial metals we provide. At this point, we have outperformed each quarter's goal and anticipate a strong finish." (Primary Metals)

"Strong demand [compared to] previous year." (Plastics & Rubber Products)

"Business indicators suggest a stronger stability in overall environment. Production and orders are stable." (Transportation Equipment)

"Business conditions continue to improve." (Furniture & Related Products)

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: March 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity improved in March.

At 53.4 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) rose 1.91% since February remaining 10.55% below the level seen a year earlier.

Respondents indicated that while there is still some slowness in orders, outlook was overall positive going forward:

"Business is robust, driven by a healthy demand for exports and relatively stable raw materials [pricing]." (Chemical Products)

"Our customers are reporting a potential 10 percent to13 percent increase in purchases for 2012. Actual orders continue to be slow to appear, but expectations continue to be high." (Machinery)

"Business conditions [are] very strong and so is outlook." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"We have been experiencing 6 percent annual growth and expect that to continue in the near term." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"Business continues to be brisk — if not robust — [this] month and looking forward." (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)

"Business remains essentially stable, with some concerns regarding continued slowdown in China." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Business remains strong." (Primary Metals)

"Business improved year over year for the first quarter." (Plastics & Rubber Products)

"Generally increasing sales/demand [is] driving higher capacity utilization." (Transportation Equipment

"Sales appear to be picking up over last year at this time, but still have a ways to go." (Wood Products)

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: February 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity pulled back in February with assessments of most measures cooled.

At 52.4 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined a notable 3.14% since January remaining 14.66% below the level seen a year earlier.

Respondents indicated that while there is still some concern over the strength of the recovery and rising commodity prices, outlook was overall positive going forward:

"Business is holding steady. Concern over commodity prices ongoing." (Chemical Products)

"Still somewhat cautious about recovery. Expecting a good year, but not seeing orders yet." (Machinery)

"Demand remains consistent to strong on all levels." (Paper Products)

"Demand from auto makers is getting stronger." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Manufacturing is busy. Spending money on new equipment to accommodate customer demands. Material prices are staying in check." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"There seems to be a much more positive outlook for the economy. Customers are ordering material for stock rather than just working hand-to-mouth." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Global GDP softening and beginning to impact the demand chain." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Production is busy — several new large projects." (Primary Metals)

"Customers [are] lowering inventory levels, anticipating price decrease due to third-party published reports on materials." (Plastics & Metal Products)

"We are optimistic about the U.S. market this year, a little hesitant about what may happen in Europe and unsure about China." (Transportation Equipment)

"Shipments are increasing over last year. Waiting to see if the trend continues." (Wood Products)

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: January 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity improved in January with assessments of most measures increasing.

At 54.1 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) increased 1.88% since December but remained 11.02% below the level seen a year earlier.

Respondents indicated that prices are generally stable and show an overall positive outlook for 2012:

"Still seeing raw materials pricing moving down in general, but expect inflation later in the quarter." (Chemical Products)

"Year starting a little slow, but customers are positive about increased business in 2012." (Machinery)
"Once again, business continues to be strong." (Paper Products)

"Pricing remains in check with the demand we are seeing. Supplier deliveries are on time or early." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"The economy seems to be slowly improving." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Business lost to offshore is coming back." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Business remains strong. Order intake is great — more than 20 percent above budget." (Primary Metals)

"Indications are that 2012 business environment will improve over 2011." (Transportation Equipment)

"Market conditions appear to be improving, with the outlook for 2012 better yet." (Wood Products

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: December 2011

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity improved in December with assessments of most measures increasing.

At 53.9 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) increased 2.28% since November but remained 7.86% below the level seen a year earlier.

Respondents indicated mixed assessments with some suggesting strong demand while others see activity slowing:

"Slow Q4 — lots of destocking and inventory reduction going on." (Chemical Products)

"Business seems strong, but likely due to tax advantages of purchasing capital expense items." (Machinery)

"Our business is stable with a very good outlook for 2012." (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)

"Food prices seem to have peaked as demand is starting to wane." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"All auto demand remains strong." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Continued conservative hiring, with tight discretionary spending controls due to slower growth expectations for 2012, driven by Euro zone sovereign debt concerns and lack of viable U.S. legislative process through the 2012 election." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Business beginning to slow down (seasonal), but will finish with a very strong year." (Plastics & Rubber Products)

"Business is steady today around the world." (Transportation Equipment)

"Market has definitely slowed in the last month, and is expected to remain so this month." (Wood Products)

ISM Manufacturing Report on Business: October 2011

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that economic activity continued to weaken in October with assessments of many measures slowing.

At 50.8 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined 1.55% since September sliding 10.72% below the level seen a year earlier.

Some respondents indicated sluggish domestic sales, uncertain prices, slowing trends and headwinds coming from customers unwillingness to commit to purchases:

"Starting to see some deflation on raw materials." (Chemical Products)

"Overall industry volumes remain flat vs. previous month. Uncertainty in supply chain is increasing due to lower volumes vs. historical." (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)

"International: contraction in demand for our products is driving mitigation of excess material on order. Contract manufacturers are adjusting their resources accordingly." (Machinery)

"Business is slowing — not crashing — but uncertainty and caution is the order of the day." (Plastics & Rubber Products)

"Retail branded business is slower than expected due to consumers continuing to move to private label- and store-brand products for price advantage. Raw material supplies are in good shape, but prices are staying stubbornly higher than expected." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)