The ISM Manufacturing Index registered 51.5 points in September, up 2.1 points from August. September’s reading indicates expansion in the manufacturing sector (readings over 50 points denote expansion). Of the eighteen manufacturing industries, seven reported growth while eleven reported contraction.
The Employment Index registered 49.7 points in September, up 1.4 points from August’s reading but indicating contraction for the third consecutive month. Seven industries reported employment growth, while, eight including petroleum & coal products and transportation equipment, reported contraction.
The New Orders Index increased 6.0 points to 55.1 in September, after contracting in August. Nine industries, including wood products and miscellaneous manufacturing, reported growth, while six industries reported contraction.
Export orders slipped 0.5 points to 52.0, indicating growth in exports for the seventh consecutive month (but at a slowing pace). Wood products, miscellaneous manufacturing, transportation equipment, along with four other industries experienced growth in exports, while seven industries reported decreases.
The inventories index registered 49.5, indicating that raw materials inventories contracted for the 15th consecutive month.
Read the ISM release.
