Non-Manufacturing Held Steady in November

Tempe, AZ, January 5, 2017—The Non-Manufacturing Index registered 57.2% in December, matching the November figure, according to the Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.

This represents continued growth in the non-manufacturing sector at the same rate.

The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index decreased to 61.4%, 0.3 percentage point lower than the November reading of 61.7%, reflecting growth for the 89th consecutive month, at a slightly slower rate in December.

The New Orders Index registered 61.6%, 4.6 percentage points higher than the reading of 57% in November.

The Employment Index decreased 4.4 percentage points in December to 53.8% from the November reading of 58.2%.

The Prices Index increased 0.7 percentage point from the November reading of 56.3% to 57%, indicating prices increased in December for the ninth consecutive month at a slightly faster rate.

According to the NMI, 12 non-manufacturing industries reported growth in December. The non-manufacturing sector closed out the year strong maintaining its rate of growth month-over-month.

The 12 non-manufacturing industries reporting growth in December—listed in order—are Mining; Retail Trade; Finance & Insurance; Information; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Construction; Other Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Utilities; Transportation & Warehousing; and Accommodation & Food Services.

The three industries reporting contraction in December are Public Administration; Wholesale Trade; and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting.