Manufacturing PMI® at 46.8%; July 2024 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®

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New Orders and Backlogs Contracting; Production and Employment Contracting; Supplier Deliveries Slowing; Raw Materials Inventories Contracting; Customers’ Inventories Too Low; Prices Increasing; Exports and Imports Contracting

TEMPE, Ariz., Aug. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in July for the fourth consecutive month and the 20th time in the last 21 months, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®.

The report was issued today by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee:

“The Manufacturing PMI® registered 46.8 percent in July, down 1.7 percentage points from the 48.5 percent recorded in June. The overall economy continued in expansion for the 51st month after one month of contraction in April 2020. (A Manufacturing PMI® above 42.5 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy.) The New Orders Index remained in contraction territory, registering 47.4 percent, 1.9 percentage points lower than the 49.3 percent recorded in June. The July reading of the Production Index (45.9 percent) is 2.6 percentage points lower than June’s figure of 48.5 percent. The Prices Index registered 52.9 percent, up 0.8 percentage point compared to the reading of 52.1 percent in June. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 41.7 percent, equaling its June reading. The Employment Index registered 43.4 percent, down 5.9 percentage points from June’s figure of 49.3 percent.

“The Supplier Deliveries Index indicated slowing deliveries, registering 52.6 percent, 2.8 percentage points higher than the 49.8 percent recorded in June. (Supplier Deliveries is the only ISM® Report On Business® index that is inversed; a reading of above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries, which is typical as the economy improves and customer demand increases.) The Inventories Index registered 44.5 percent, down 0.9 percentage point compared to June’s reading of 45.4 percent.

“The New Export Orders Index reading of 49 percent is 0.2 percentage point higher than the 48.8 percent registered in June. The Imports Index remained in contraction territory in July, registering 48.6 percent, 0.1 percentage point higher than the 48.5 percent reported in June.”

Fiore continues, “U.S. manufacturing activity entered deeper into contraction. Demand was weak again, output declined, and inputs stayed generally accommodative. Demand slowing was reflected by the (1) New Orders Index dropping further into contraction, (2) New Export Orders Index continuing in contraction, (3) Backlog of Orders Index remaining in strong contraction territory, and (4) Customers’ Inventories Index moving lower to the higher end of ‘too low’. Output (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) declined compared to June, with a combined 8.5-percentage point downward impact on the Manufacturing PMI® calculation. Panelists’ companies reduced production levels month over month as head-count reductions continued in July. Inputs — defined as supplier deliveries, inventories, prices and imports — generally continued to accommodate future demand growth.

“Demand remains subdued, as companies show an unwillingness to invest in capital and inventory due to current federal monetary policy and other conditions. Production execution was down compared to June, likely adding to revenue declines, putting additional pressure on profitability. Suppliers continue to have capacity, with lead times improving and shortages not as severe. Eighty-six percent of manufacturing gross domestic product (GDP) contracted in July, up from 62 percent in June. More concerning: The share of sector GDP registering a composite PMI® calculation at or below 45 percent (a good barometer of overall manufacturing weakness) was 53 percent in July, 39 percentage points higher than the 14 percent reported in June. Notably, all six of the largest manufacturing industries — Machinery; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; and Computer & Electronic Products — contracted in July,” says Fiore.

The five manufacturing industries reporting growth in July are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Petroleum & Coal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Furniture & Related Products; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products. The 11 industries reporting contraction in July — in the following order — are: Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Wood Products; Paper Products; Chemical Products; and Computer & Electronic Products.

WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING

  • “Business is relatively flat — the same volume, but smaller orders.” [Chemical Products]
  • “Demand continued to soften into the second half of the year. Supply chain pipelines and inventories remain full, reducing the need for overtime. Geopolitical issues between China and Taiwan as well as the election in November remain weighing concerns.” [Transportation Equipment]
  • “Even though we are used to a seasonal reduction in business over the summer, consumer behavior is changing more than normal. Sales are lighter, and customer orders are coming in under forecasts. It seems consumers are starting to pull back on spending.” [Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products]
  • “Availability of parts is good, with small exceptions of missing materials here and there. Ordering is still well below typical levels as we continue to burn down inventory of raw goods, with ‘normal’ ordering trends expected to return sometime in the second half of 2024.” [Computer & Electronic Products]
  • “It seems that the economy is slowing down significantly. The number of sales calls received from new suppliers is increasing significantly. Our own order backlog is also diminishing. We are hoping for an increase in customer demand, or we will possibly need to make organizational changes.” [Machinery]
  • “Unfortunately, our business is experiencing the sharpest decline in order levels in a year. We were well below our budget target in June; as a result, it was the first month this year that we had negative net income.” [Fabricated Metal Products]
  • “Business is slowing, and we are taking cost actions.” [Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components]
  • “Some markets that are usually unwavering are showing weakness. Weather is the common factor, but only so much.” [Nonmetallic Mineral Products]
  • “Our sales forecast for July and August are slow, but we’re making every attempt to remedy that situation. Our medical end-user customers continue to meet their forecasts, which is promising.” [Textile Mills]
  • “Elevated financing costs have dampened demand for residential investment. This has reduced our need for component products and inventory.” [Wood Products]

MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE
July 2024

Index

Series
Index

Jul

Series
Index

Jun

Percentage

Point

Change

Direction

Rate of
Change

Trend*
(Months)

Manufacturing PMI®

46.8

48.5

-1.7

Contracting

Faster

4

New Orders

47.4

49.3

-1.9

Contracting

Faster

4

Production

45.9

48.5

-2.6

Contracting

Faster

2

Employment

43.4

49.3

-5.9

Contracting

Faster

2

Supplier Deliveries

52.6

49.8

+2.8

Slowing

From Faster

1

Inventories

44.5

45.4

-0.9

Contracting

Faster

18

Customers’ Inventories

45.8

47.4

-1.6

Too Low

Faster

8

Prices

52.9

52.1

+0.8

Increasing

Faster

7

Backlog of Orders

41.7

41.7

0.0

Contracting

Same

22

New Export Orders

49.0

48.8

+0.2

Contracting

Slower

2

Imports

48.6

48.5

+0.1

Contracting

Slower

2

OVERALL ECONOMY

Growing

Slower

51

Manufacturing Sector

Contracting

Faster

4

 

Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® data is seasonally adjusted for the New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories indexes.

*Number of months moving in current direction.

COMMODITIES REPORTED UP/DOWN IN PRICE AND IN SHORT SUPPLY

Commodities Up in Price
Aluminum (8); Aluminum Products (2); Caustic Soda; Copper* (4); Corrugate; Corrugated Boxes; Electrical Components (3); High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resin; Ocean Freight (3); Paper Products; Plastic Based Products; Plastic Resins (7); Polypropylene Resin; and Titanium Dioxide (2).

Commodities Down in Price
Copper*; Crude Oil; Natural Gas; Steel (3); Steel — Carbon (4); Steel — Hot Rolled (3); Steel — Scrap (3); Steel Products (2); and Sulfur.

Commodities in Short Supply
Electrical Components (46); Electrical Equipment; Electronic Components (4); Hydraulic Components; and Semiconductors.

Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.
*Indicates both up and down in price.

JULY 2024 MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES

Manufacturing PMI®
The U.S. manufacturing sector contracted for the fourth consecutive month in July, as the Manufacturing PMI® registered 46.8 percent, down 1.7 percentage points compared to June’s reading of 48.5 percent. “After breaking a 16-month streak of contraction by expanding in March, the manufacturing sector has contracted the last four months, and at a faster rate in July. Of the five subindexes that directly factor into the Manufacturing PMI®, only one (Supplier Deliveries) was in expansion territory, up from zero in June. The New Orders Index remained in contraction and moved downward in July. None of the six biggest manufacturing industries registered growth,” says Fiore. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing sector is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.

A Manufacturing PMI® above 42.5 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the July Manufacturing PMI® indicates the overall economy grew for the 51st straight month after last contracting in April 2020. “The past relationship between the Manufacturing PMI® and the overall economy indicates that the July reading (46.8 percent) corresponds to a change of plus-1.2 percent in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis,” says Fiore.

THE LAST 12 MONTHS

Month

Manufacturing
PMI®

Month

Manufacturing
PMI®

Jul 2024

46.8

Jan 2024

49.1

Jun 2024

48.5

Dec 2023

47.1

May 2024

48.7

Nov 2023

46.6

Apr 2024

49.2

Oct 2023

46.9

Mar 2024

50.3

Sep 2023

48.6

Feb 2024

47.8

Aug 2023

47.6

Average for 12 months – 48.1

High – 50.3

Low – 46.6

 

New Orders
ISM®‘s New Orders Index contracted in July for the fourth consecutive month, registering 47.4 percent, a decrease of 1.9 percentage points compared to June’s figure of 49.3 percent. The New Orders Index hasn’t indicated consistent growth since a 24-month streak of expansion ended in May 2022. “Of the six largest manufacturing sectors, two (Computer & Electronic Products; and Chemical Products) reported increased new orders. Panelists’ comments noted a continued level of uncertainty and concern about a lack of new order activity, with confidence in the future economic environment reaching its lowest level since the coronavirus pandemic recovery,” says Fiore. A New Orders Index above 52.3 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau’s series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).

The six manufacturing industries that reported growth in new orders in July, in order, are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Paper Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Furniture & Related Products; and Chemical Products. The eight industries reporting a decline in new orders in July — in the following order — are: Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Plastics & Rubber Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

New Orders

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Jul 2024

19.0

53.0

28.0

-9.0

47.4

Jun 2024

20.3

59.1

20.6

-0.3

49.3

May 2024

19.0

57.4

23.6

-4.6

45.4

Apr 2024

19.9

63.2

16.9

+3.0

49.1

 

Production
The Production Index continued in contraction territory in July, registering 45.9 percent, 2.6 percentage points lower than the June reading of 48.5 percent. None of the six largest manufacturing sectors reported increased production. The index recorded its lowest performance since May 2020, when it registered 34.2 percent. “Panelists’ companies significantly reduced output levels compared to June. New order rates remain weak, and backlog levels continue to decline. Companies continue to avoid investing in inventory due to the current economic uncertainty,” says Fiore. An index above 52.2 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board’s Industrial Production figures.

The four industries reporting growth in production during the month of July are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The 10 industries reporting a decrease in production in July, in order, are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Machinery; Textile Mills; Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Transportation Equipment; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; and Computer & Electronic Products.

Production

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Jul 2024

15.2

60.1

24.7

-9.5

45.9

Jun 2024

22.8

56.9

20.3

+2.5

48.5

May 2024

19.8

62.6

17.6

+2.2

50.2

Apr 2024

22.1

62.6

15.3

+6.8

51.3

 

Employment
ISM®‘s Employment Index registered 43.4 percent in July, 5.9 percentage points lower than the June reading of 49.3 percent. The index recorded its lowest level since a reading of 42 percent in June 2020. “The index contracted for the second consecutive month after an expansion in May, which broke a seven-month streak of contraction. None of the six big manufacturing sectors expanded employment in July. Respondents’ companies are continuing to reduce head counts through layoffs, attrition and hiring freezes. Panelists’ comments in July indicated a notable increase in staff reductions compared to June, supported by the approximately 1-to-1.8 ratio of hiring versus head-count reduction comments,” says Fiore. An Employment Index above 50.3 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment.

Of 18 manufacturing industries, the two industries reporting employment growth in July are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The 13 industries reporting a decrease in employment in July, in the following order, are: Textile Mills; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Paper Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Wood Products; Primary Metals; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; Fabricated Metal Products; and Transportation Equipment.

Employment

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Jul 2024

9.8

68.7

21.5

-11.7

43.4

Jun 2024

16.8

66.1

17.1

-0.3

49.3

May 2024

17.1

69.0

13.9

+3.2

51.1

Apr 2024

16.3

67.9

15.8

+0.5

48.6

 

Supplier Deliveries
Delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was slower in July, with the Supplier Deliveries Index registering 52.6 percent, a 2.8-percentage point gain compared to the reading of 49.8 percent reported in June. This is the first month of slower deliveries after four consecutive months of faster deliveries. After a reading of 52.4 percent in September 2022, the index went into contraction territory the following month and remained there until February. Of the six big industries, three (Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; and Computer & Electronic Products) reported slower supplier deliveries in July. “Supplier deliveries are slowing as panelists’ companies increasingly rely on their suppliers to manage their purchased material inventory, putting more strain on the supply chain,” says Fiore. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

The eight manufacturing industries reporting slower supplier deliveries in July — listed in order — are: Textile Mills; Petroleum & Coal Products; Wood Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Computer & Electronic Products. The three industries reporting faster supplier deliveries in July are: Paper Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Machinery. Seven industries reported no change in supplier deliveries in July as compared to June.

Supplier Deliveries

%Slower

%Same

%Faster

Net

Index

Jul 2024

11.7

81.7

6.6

+5.1

52.6

Jun 2024

8.8

82.0

9.2

-0.4

49.8

May 2024

6.2

85.3

8.5

-2.3

48.9

Apr 2024

8.1

81.6

10.3

-2.2

48.9

 

Inventories
The Inventories Index registered 44.5 percent in July, down 0.9 percentage point compared to the reading of 45.4 percent reported in June. “Manufacturing inventories contracted at a faster rate compared to the previous month. None of the six big industries reported increased manufacturing inventories in July. Continuing demand uncertainty is causing panelists’ companies to reduce investment in inventory and remain reliant on suppliers to carry ‘on-demand’ inventory,” says Fiore. An Inventories Index greater than 44.4 percent, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars).

Of 18 manufacturing industries, two reported higher inventories in July: Petroleum & Coal Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. The 11 industries reporting lower inventories in July — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Paper Products; Furniture & Related Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

Inventories

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Jul 2024

12.2

63.3

24.5

-12.3

44.5

Jun 2024

11.3

67.9

20.8

-9.5

45.4

May 2024

14.4

66.4

19.2

-4.8

47.9

Apr 2024

13.1

67.7

19.2

-6.1

48.2

 

Customers’ Inventories
ISM®‘s Customers’ Inventories Index registered 45.8 percent in July, down 1.6 percentage points compared to the 47.4 percent reported in June. “Customers’ inventory levels decreased at a faster rate in July, with the index moving downward to the upper end of ‘too low’ territory. Panelists report their companies’ customers have decreased amounts of their products in inventory compared to the previous month, which is considered a positive for future new orders and production,” says Fiore.

The eight industries reporting customers’ inventories as too high in July, in order, are: Textile Mills; Furniture & Related Products; Wood Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Chemical Products. The six industries reporting customers’ inventories as too low in July, in order, are: Computer & Electronic Products; Paper Products; Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Transportation Equipment; and Machinery.

Customers’
Inventories

%
Reporting

%Too
High

%About
Right

%Too
Low

 

Net

 

Index

Jul 2024

79

13.5

64.5

22.0

-8.5

45.8

Jun 2024

78

13.6

67.5

18.9

-5.3

47.4

May 2024

75

14.8

66.9

18.3

-3.5

48.3

Apr 2024

76

15.6

64.3

20.1

-4.5

47.8

 

Prices
The ISM® Prices Index registered 52.9 percent, 0.8 percentage point higher compared to the June reading of 52.1 percent, indicating raw materials prices increased in July for the seventh month after eight consecutive months of decreases. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, three — Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products — reported price increases in July. “The Prices Index indicated expansion in July, at a faster rate compared to the previous month. Commodity prices continue to be volatile, especially oil, natural gas, aluminum and plastic resins. Steel prices have reached long-term historical lows, supported by declining scrap prices. Twenty-three percent of companies reported higher prices in July, compared to 20 percent in June,” says Fiore. A Prices Index above 52.8 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials.

In July, the 10 industries that reported paying increased prices for raw materials, in order, are: Textile Mills; Plastics & Rubber Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Wood Products; Chemical Products; Furniture & Related Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The four industries reporting paying decreased prices for raw materials in July are: Fabricated Metal Products; Paper Products; Machinery; and Transportation Equipment.

Prices

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Jul 2024

22.6

60.5

16.9

+5.7

52.9

Jun 2024

20.2

63.8

16.0

+4.2

52.1

May 2024

25.5

63.0

11.5

+14.0

57.0

Apr 2024

30.8

60.1

9.1

+21.7

60.9

 

Backlog of Orders
ISM®‘s Backlog of Orders Index registered 41.7 percent, the same reading as in June, indicating order backlogs contracted for the 22nd consecutive month after a 27-month period of expansion. For the second consecutive month, the index recorded its lowest reading since November 2023, when it registered 39.3 percent. None of the six largest manufacturing industries reported expanded order backlogs in July. “The index remained in contraction in July, as new order rates were insufficient to allow backlogs to grow. After 22 months of backlog contraction, it is believed that order books are now at historically low levels,” says Fiore.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the only one that reported growth in order backlogs in July is Petroleum & Coal Products. The 13 industries reporting lower backlogs in July — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Textile Mills; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; Furniture & Related Products; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Chemical Products.

Backlog of
Orders

%
Reporting

 

%Higher

 

%Same

 

%Lower

 

Net

 

Index

Jul 2024

91

12.9

57.5

29.6

-16.7

41.7

Jun 2024

90

10.7

61.9

27.4

-16.7

41.7

May 2024

91

12.3

60.1

27.6

-15.3

42.4

Apr 2024

90

12.2

66.4

21.4

-9.2

45.4

 

New Export Orders
ISM®‘s New Export Orders Index registered 49 percent in July, up 0.2 percentage point from June’s reading of 48.8 percent. “The New Export Orders Index reading indicates that export orders contracted for a second month after expanding in May and contracting in April, with two straight months of expansion before that. As was experienced in June, new export orders remain sluggish as international trading partners continue to struggle with weak economies,” says Fiore.

The four industries reporting growth in new export orders in July are: Paper Products; Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The six industries reporting a decrease in new export orders in July — in the following order — are: Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products. Seven industries reported no change in new export orders in July as compared to June.

New Export
Orders

%
Reporting

 

%Higher

 

%Same

 

%Lower

 

Net

 

Index

Jul 2024

74

8.9

80.2

10.9

-2.0

49.0

Jun 2024

73

10.3

76.9

12.8

-2.5

48.8

May 2024

72

10.0

81.1

8.9

+1.1

50.6

Apr 2024

74

9.7

78.0

12.3

-2.6

48.7

 

Imports
ISM®‘s Imports Index cooled again in July with a reading of 48.6 percent, an increase of 0.1 percentage point compared to June’s figure of 48.5 percent. “Imports contracted for the second month in a row after five consecutive months of expansion preceded by 14 consecutive months of contraction. Since the beginning of April, respondents’ companies have limited their investments in inventory, as growth prospects remain cloudy. Ocean freight costs continue to rise and access to equipment remains challenged as a result of extended transit times, reducing container and ship availability,” says Fiore.

The four industries reporting an increase in import volumes in July are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Primary Metals; Chemical Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The nine industries that reported lower volumes of imports in July, in order, are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Wood Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Plastics & Rubber Products; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; and Computer & Electronic Products.

Imports

%
Reporting

 

%Higher

 

%Same

 

%Lower

 

Net

 

Index

Jul 2024

84

9.8

77.5

12.7

-2.9

48.6

Jun 2024

83

8.7

79.6

11.7

-3.0

48.5

May 2024

85

14.8

72.6

12.6

+2.2

51.1

Apr 2024

85

11.6

80.6

7.8

+3.8

51.9

 

The Supplier Deliveries, Customers’ Inventories, Prices, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, and Imports indexes do not meet the accepted criteria for seasonal adjustments.

Buying Policy
The average commitment lead time for Capital Expenditures in July was 177 days, a decrease of two days compared to June. Average lead time in July for Production Materials was 77 days, a decrease of three days compared to June. Average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies was 46 days, an increase of three days compared to June.

Percent Reporting

Capital
Expenditures

Hand-to-
Mouth

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

6 Months

1 Year+

Average
Days

Jul 2024

16

3

7

14

32

28

177

Jun 2024

14

3

11

14

28

30

179

May 2024

15

3

9

15

32

26

172

Apr 2024

17

4

8

13

32

26

170

 

Percent Reporting

Production
Materials

Hand-to-
Mouth

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

6 Months

1 Year+

Average
Days

Jul 2024

7

29

25

27

8

4

77

Jun 2024

8

24

27

28

9

4

80

May 2024

6

26

31

23

10

4

80

Apr 2024

7

23

29

30

7

4

79

 

Percent Reporting

MRO Supplies

Hand-to-
Mouth

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

6 Months

1 Year+

Average
Days

Jul 2024

28

35

19

13

4

1

46

Jun 2024

29

36

16

14

5

0

43

May 2024

29

38

15

13

4

1

44

Apr 2024

29

37

17

12

4

1

44

 

About This Report
DO NOT CONFUSE THIS NATIONAL REPORT with the various regional purchasing reports released across the country. The national report’s information reflects the entire U.S., while the regional reports contain primarily regional data from their local vicinities. Also, the information in the regional reports is not used in calculating the results of the national report. The information compiled in this report is for the month of July 2024.

The data presented herein is obtained from a survey of manufacturing supply executives based on information they have collected within their respective organizations. ISM® makes no representation, other than that stated within this release, regarding the individual company data collection procedures. The data should be compared to all other economic data sources when used in decision-making.

Data and Method of Presentation
The Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® is based on data compiled from purchasing and supply executives nationwide. The composition of the Manufacturing Business Survey Committee is stratified according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and each of the following NAICS-based industries’ contribution to gross domestic product (GDP): Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Paper Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Petroleum & Coal Products; Chemical Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Furniture & Related Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing (products such as medical equipment and supplies, jewelry, sporting goods, toys and office supplies). The data are weighted based on each industry’s contribution to GDP. According to BEA estimates (the average of the fourth quarter 2022 GDP estimate and the GDP estimates for first, second, and third quarter 2023, as released on December 21, 2023), the six largest manufacturing industries are: Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Fabricated Metal Products.

Survey responses reflect the change, if any, in the current month compared to the previous month. For each of the indicators measured (New Orders, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, Imports, Production, Supplier Deliveries, Inventories, Customers’ Inventories, Employment and Prices), this report shows the percentage reporting each response, the net difference between the number of responses in the positive economic direction (higher, better and slower for Supplier Deliveries) and the negative economic direction (lower, worse and faster for Supplier Deliveries), and the diffusion index. Responses are raw data and are never changed. The diffusion index includes the percent of positive responses plus one-half of those responding the same (considered positive).

The resulting single index number for those meeting the criteria for seasonal adjustments (Manufacturing PMI®, New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories) is then seasonally adjusted to allow for the effects of repetitive intra-year variations resulting primarily from normal differences in weather conditions, various institutional arrangements, and differences attributable to non-moveable holidays. All seasonal adjustment factors are subject annually to relatively minor changes when conditions warrant them. The Manufacturing PMI® is a composite index based on the diffusion indexes of five of the indexes with equal weights: New Orders (seasonally adjusted), Production (seasonally adjusted), Employment (seasonally adjusted), Supplier Deliveries, and Inventories (seasonally adjusted).

Diffusion indexes have the properties of leading indicators and are convenient summary measures showing the prevailing direction of change and the scope of change. A Manufacturing PMI® reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally declining. A Manufacturing PMI® above 42.5 percent, over a period of time, indicates that the overall economy, or gross domestic product (GDP), is generally expanding; below 42.5 percent, it is generally declining. The distance from 50 percent or 42.5 percent is indicative of the extent of the expansion or decline. With some of the indicators within this report, ISM® has indicated the departure point between expansion and decline of comparable government series, as determined by regression analysis. The Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® survey is sent out to Manufacturing Business Survey Committee respondents the first part of each month. Respondents are asked to report on information for the current month for U.S. operations only. ISM® receives survey responses throughout most of any given month, with the majority of respondents generally waiting until late in the month to submit responses to give the most accurate picture of current business activity. ISM® then compiles the report for release on the first business day of the following month.

The industries reporting growth, as indicated in the Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® monthly report, are listed in the order of most growth to least growth. For the industries reporting contraction or decreases, those are listed in the order of the highest level of contraction/decrease to the least level of contraction/decrease.

Responses to Buying Policy reflect the percent reporting the current month’s lead time, the approximate weighted number of days ahead for which commitments are made for Capital Expenditures; Production Materials; and Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies, expressed as hand-to-mouth (five days), 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months (180 days), a year or more (360 days), and the weighted average number of days. These responses are raw data, never revised, and not seasonally adjusted.

ISM ROB Content
The Institute for Supply Management® (“ISM”) Report On Business® (both Manufacturing and Non-Manufacturing) (“ISM ROB”) contains information, text, files, images, video, sounds, musical works, works of authorship, applications, and any other materials or content (collectively, “Content”) of ISM (“ISM ROB Content”). ISM ROB Content is protected by copyright, trademark, trade secret, and other laws, and as between you and ISM, ISM owns and retains all rights in the ISM ROB Content. ISM hereby grants you a limited, revocable, nonsublicensable license to access and display on your individual device the ISM ROB Content (excluding any software code) solely for your personal, non-commercial use. The ISM ROB Content shall also contain Content of users and other ISM licensors. Except as provided herein or as explicitly allowed in writing by ISM, you shall not copy, download, stream, capture, reproduce, duplicate, archive, upload, modify, translate, publish, broadcast, transmit, retransmit, distribute, perform, display, sell, or otherwise use any ISM ROB Content.

Except as explicitly and expressly permitted by ISM, you are strictly prohibited from creating works or materials (including but not limited to tables, charts, data streams, time-series variables, fonts, icons, link buttons, wallpaper, desktop themes, online postcards, montages, mashups and similar videos, greeting cards, and unlicensed merchandise) that derive from or are based on the ISM ROB Content. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the derivative works or materials are sold, bartered, or given away. You shall not either directly or through the use of any device, software, internet site, web-based service, or other means remove, alter, bypass, avoid, interfere with, or circumvent any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices marked on the Content or any digital rights management mechanism, device, or other content protection or access control measure associated with the Content including geo-filtering mechanisms. Without prior written authorization from ISM, you shall not build a business utilizing the Content, whether or not for profit.

You shall not create, recreate, distribute, incorporate in other work, or advertise an index of any portion of the Content unless you receive prior written authorization from ISM. Requests for permission to reproduce or distribute ISM ROB Content can be made by contacting in writing at: ISM Research, Institute for Supply Management, 309 West Elliot Road, Suite 113, Tempe, Arizona 85284-1556, or by emailing kcahill@ismworld.org. Subject: Content Request.

ISM shall not have any liability, duty, or obligation for or relating to the ISM ROB Content or other information contained herein, any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or delays in providing any ISM ROB Content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. In no event shall ISM be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages, arising out of the use of the ISM ROB. Report On Business®, PMI®, Manufacturing PMI®, Services PMI®, Hospital PMI®, and NMI® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management®. Institute for Supply Management® and ISM® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management, Inc.

About Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®)
Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) is the first and leading not-for-profit professional supply management organization worldwide. Its community of more than 50,000 in more than 100 countries manage about US$1 trillion in corporate and government supply chain procurement annually. Founded in 1915 by practitioners, ISM is committed to advancing the practice of supply management to drive value and competitive advantage for its members, contributing to a prosperous and sustainable world. ISM empowers and leads the profession through the ISM® Report On Business®, its highly-regarded certification and training programs, corporate services, events and assessments. The ISM® Report On Business®, Manufacturing, Services, and Hospital, are three of the most reliable economic indicators available, providing guidance to supply management professionals, economists, analysts, and government and business leaders. For more information, please visit: www.ismworld.org.

The full text version of the Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® is posted on ISM®‘s website at www.ismrob.org on the first business day* of every month after 10:00 a.m. ET. The one exception is in January when the report is released on the second business day of the month.

The next Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® featuring August 2024 data will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

*Unless the New York Stock Exchange is closed.

Contact:

Kristina Cahill

Report On Business® Analyst

ISM®, ROB/Research Manager

Tempe, Arizona

+1 480.455.5910

Email: kcahill@ismworld.org

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SOURCE Institute for Supply Management