Manufacturing contracts 10th month in a row
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in August for the 10th consecutive month following a 28-month period of growth, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.
The report was issued by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., Chair of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee:
“The August Manufacturing PMI registered 47.6%, 1.2 percentage points higher than the 46.4% recorded in July. Regarding the overall economy, this figure indicates a ninth month of contraction after a 30-month period of expansion. The New Orders Index remained in contraction territory at 46.8%, 0.5 percentage point lower than the figure of 47.3% recorded in July. The Production Index reading of 50% is a 1.7-percentage point increase compared to July’s figure of 48.3%. The Prices Index registered 48.4%, up 5.8 percentage points compared to the July figure of 42.6 percent. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 44.1%, 1.3 percentage points higher than the July reading of 42.8 percent. The Employment Index registered 48.5%, up 4.1 percentage points from July’s reading of 44.4%.
“The Supplier Deliveries Index figure of 48.6% is 2.5 percentage points higher than the 46.1% recorded in July. This is the highest reading in the past 11 months. (Supplier Deliveries is the only ISM® Report On Business® index that is inversed; a reading of above 50% indicates slower deliveries, which is typical as the economy improves and customer demand increases.)
“The Inventories Index decreased by 2.1 percentage points to 44 percent; the July reading was 46.1 percent. The New Export Orders Index reading of 46.5% is 0.3 percentage point higher than July’s figure of 46.2 percent. The Imports Index remained in contraction territory, registering 48 percent, 1.6 percentage points lower than the 49.6% reported in July.”
Fiore continued, “The U.S. manufacturing sector shrank again, but the uptick in the PMI indicates a slower rate of contraction. The August composite index reading reflects companies managing outputs appropriately as order softness continues, but the month-over-month increase is a sign of improvement. Demand eased again, with the (1) New Orders Index contracting at a slightly faster rate, (2) New Export Orders Index continuing in contraction territory, with minimal signs of improvement and (3) Backlog of Orders Index improving for the third straight month but remaining at low levels. The Customers’ Inventories Index reading indicated appropriate buyer/supplier tension, which is neutral to slightly positive for future production. Output/Consumption (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) was positive, with a combined 5.8-percentage point upward impact on the Manufacturing PMI® calculation. Panelists’ companies stabilized production compared to July and continued to manage head counts, primarily through attrition. Inputs — defined as supplier deliveries, inventories, prices and imports — continued to accommodate future demand growth. The Supplier Deliveries Index indicated faster deliveries for the 11th straight month, and the Inventories Index remained in contraction territory as panelists’ companies continued to mitigate inventories exposure. The Prices Index remained in ‘decreasing’ territory but increased a respectable 5.8 percentage points, signifying near price stability. Sentiment improved regarding manufacturing lead times, although they remain at elevated levels.
“Of the six biggest manufacturing industries, three — Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Petroleum & Coal Products — registered growth in August.
“Demand remains soft, but production execution is consistent with new, reduced output levels based on panelists’ companies order books. Suppliers continue to have capacity. Prices are generally stable. Sixty-two% of manufacturing gross domestic product (GDP) contracted in August, down from 92% in July, a positive trend for the economy. Additionally, the share of manufacturing GDP registering a composite PMI calculation at or below 45% — a good barometer of overall manufacturing weakness — was 15% in August, compared to 25% in July and 44% in June, a clear positive,” says Fiore.
The five manufacturing industries that reported growth in August are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The 13 industries reporting contraction in August — in the following order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Textile Mills; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Paper Products; Wood Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Machinery.
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