Tempe, AZ, March 3--Business activity in the non-manufacturing sector increased in February 2005, say the nation's purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.
The report was issued by Ralph G. Kauffman, Ph.D., C.P.M., chair of the Institute for Supply Management Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee and coordinator of the Supply Chain Management Program, University of Houston-Downtown.
"Non-manufacturing business activity increased for the 23rd consecutive month in February," Kauffman said. He added, "Business activity increased at a faster rate in February, as did new orders. February's increases in these two indexes and in the indexes for employment, backlog of orders and new export orders indicate a reversal of the decline in these measures noted in January's report."
The 12 industries reporting growth in February — listed in order — are: Mining; Communication; Health Services; Transportation; Finance & Banking; Insurance; Public Administration; Retail Trade; Utilities; Construction; Other Services; and Business Services. The three industries reporting activity the same as last month are: Agriculture; Wholesale Trade; and Legal Services.
The two industries reporting decreased activity from the prior month are Real Estate and Entertainment.
