August PMI Fell Slightly, Says the Institute of Supply Management

Tempe, Arizona, September 1, 2015—The August Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) registered 51.1%, a decrease of 1.6 percentage points from the July reading of 52.7%, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.

The New Orders Index registered 51.7%, a decrease of 4.8 percentage points from the reading of 56.5% in July.

The Production Index registered 53.6%, 2.4 percentage points below the July reading of 56%.

The Employment Index registered 51.2%, 1.5 percentage points below the July reading of 52.7%.

Inventories of raw materials registered 48.5%, a decrease of 1 percentage point from the July reading of 49.5%.

The Prices Index registered 39%, down 5 percentage points from the July reading of 44%, indicating lower raw materials prices for the 10th consecutive month.

The New Export Orders Index registered 46.5%, down 1.5 percentage points from the July reading of 48%.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, ten are reporting growth in August in the following order: Textile Mills; Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Fabricated Metal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; and Machinery.

The six industries reporting contraction in August—listed in order—are Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Primary Metals; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Petroleum & Coal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Transportation Equipment.