Economy
ISM Manufacturing Index (PMI) Expands for 3rd Consecutive Month
Written by John Packard
September 3, 2013
ISM Manufacturing Index (PMI) Expands for 3rd Consecutive Month
Tempe, Arizona) — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in August for the third consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 51st consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.
The report was issued today by Bradley J. Holcomb, CPSM, CPSD, chair of the Institute for Supply Management™ Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. “The PMI™ registered 55.7 percent, an increase of 0.3 percentage point from July’s reading of 55.4 percent. August’s PMI™ reading, the highest of the year, indicates expansion in the manufacturing sector for the third consecutive month. The New Orders Index increased in August by 4.9 percentage points to 63.2 percent, and the Production Index decreased by 2.6 percentage points to 62.4 percent. The Employment Index registered 53.3 percent, a decrease of 1.1 percentage points compared to July’s reading of 54.4 percent. The Prices Index registered 54 percent, increasing 5 percentage points from July, indicating that overall raw materials prices increased when compared to last month. Comments from the panel range from slow to improving business conditions depending upon the industry.”
Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 15 are reporting growth in August in the following order: Textile Mills; Wood Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Furniture & Related Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; Chemical Products; and Paper Products. The only industry reporting contraction in August is Miscellaneous Manufacturing.
Manufacturing expanded in August as the PMI™ registered 55.7 percent, an increase of 0.3 percentage point when compared to July’s reading of 55.4 percent. August’s reading reflects the highest overall PMI™ reading in 2013. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.
A PMI™ in excess of 42.2 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the August PMI™ indicates growth for the 51st consecutive month in the overall economy, and indicates expansion in the manufacturing sector for the third consecutive month.
Holcomb stated, “The past relationship between the PMI™ and the overall economy indicates that the average PMI™ for January through August (52.5 percent) corresponds to a 3.2 percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis. In addition, if the PMI™ for August (55.7 percent) is annualized, it corresponds to a 4.2 percent increase in real GDP annually.” (Source: Institute for Supply Management)
John Packard
Read more from John PackardLatest in Economy
Housing starts increase in April but remain muted
US housing starts ticked up through April following March’s dip, according to the latest data release from the US Census Bureau.
May manufacturing activity sluggish in New York state
New York state continues to see deteriorating manufacturing business conditions through May, according to the latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey
US construction spending levels off in March
Construction spending in the US in March was basically steady from the previous month but showed notable year-on-year (y/y) growth.
ISM: Manufacturing sector contracted in April
The Index had briefly showed expansion in March, but has indicated a contracting manufacturing sector for 17 of the last 18 months.
Chicago Business Barometer falls to 16-month low
The Chicago Business Barometer slipped further in April, now at the lowest measure recorded since November 2022.