New Orders, Employment and Production Growing Inventories, Growing Supplier Deliveries Slowing
Tempe, AZ — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in October for the 17th consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 65th consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing Institute for Supply Management® Report On Business®.
The report was issued Monday by Bradley J. Holcomb, CPSM, CPSD, chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "The October Purchasing Managers Index PMI® registered 59%, an increase of 2.4 percentage points from September’s reading of 56.6%, indicating continued expansion in manufacturing. The New Orders Index registered 65.8%, an increase of 5.8% from the 60% reading in September, indicating growth in new orders for the 17th consecutive month.
The Production Index registered 64.8%, 0.2 percentage point above the September reading of 64.6%. The Employment Index grew for the 16th consecutive month, registering 55.5%, an increase of 0.9 percentage point above the September reading of 54.6%. Inventories of raw materials registered 52.5%, an increase of 1 percentage point from the September reading of 51.5%, indicating growth in inventories for the third consecutive month. Comments from the panel generally cite positive business conditions, with growth in demand and production volumes."
Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 16 are reporting growth in October in the following order: Plastics & Rubber Products; Textile Mills; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Primary Metals; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Transportation Equipment; Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Machinery; and Computer & Electronic Products. The only industry reporting contraction in October is Petroleum & Coal Products.
WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING ...
* "Holiday orders are exceeding seasonal forecasts. Customers are demanding additional quantities above prior orders. Fuel costs and other positive signals appear to be creating demand above normal." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)
* "Weakness in commodity prices very positive on our business." (Fabricated Metal Products)
* "We continue to see strong demand across multiple sectors." (Transportation Equipment)
* "Business steady and strong." (Furniture & Related Products)
* "Another strong month in terms of business growth." (Computer & Electronic Products)
* "Most business segments are seeing an upward trend in orders — mostly from existing customers, but also some new customers. Transportation continues to be a major issue." (Chemical Products)
* "Conditions are still basically flat." (Printing & Related Support Activities)
* "Production is oversupplying demand, and prices have softened." (Wood Products)
* "Outer body material changes in the auto industry means new equipment and manufacturing growth." (Machinery)
* "Business conditions are good; sales and production volumes are generally increasing." (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)
To read the complete report click here.