Economic activity in the US manufacturing sector contracted in August following five consecutive months of expansion, while the overall economy grew for the 87th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.
The August PMI registered 49.4 percent, a decrease of 3.2 percentage points from the July reading of 52.6 percent.
• The New Orders Index registered 49.1 percent, a decrease of 7.8 percentage points from the July reading of 56.9 percent.
• The Production Index registered 49.6 percent, 5.8 percentage points lower than the July reading of 55.4 percent.
• The Employment Index registered 48.3 percent, a decrease of 1.1 percentage points from the July reading of 49.4 percent.
• Inventories of raw materials registered 49 percent, a decrease of 0.5 percentage point from the July reading of 49.5 percent.
• The Prices Index registered 53 percent, a decrease of 2 percentage points from the July reading of 55 percent, indicating higher raw materials prices for the sixth consecutive month.
• The New Orders Index registered 49.1 percent, a decrease of 7.8 percentage points from the July reading of 56.9 percent.
• The Production Index registered 49.6 percent, 5.8 percentage points lower than the July reading of 55.4 percent.
• The Employment Index registered 48.3 percent, a decrease of 1.1 percentage points from the July reading of 49.4 percent.
• Inventories of raw materials registered 49 percent, a decrease of 0.5 percentage point from the July reading of 49.5 percent.
• The Prices Index registered 53 percent, a decrease of 2 percentage points from the July reading of 55 percent, indicating higher raw materials prices for the sixth consecutive month.
According to the report, manufacturing contracted in August for the first time since February of this year, as only six of 18 industries reported an increase in new orders in August (down from 12 in July), and only eight of 18 industries reported an increase in production in August (down from nine in July).
Of the 18 manufacturing industries, six are reporting growth in August in the following order: Printing and Related Support Activities; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Computer and Electronic Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Food, Beverage and Tobacco Products; and Chemical Products.
The 11 industries reporting contraction in August are, in order: Electrical Equipment, Appliances and Components; Apparel, Leather and Allied Products; Plastics and Rubber Products; Furniture and Related Products; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; Textile Mills; Paper Products; Petroleum and Coal Products; Primary Metals; and Fabricated Metal Products.