Purchasing Managers' Index Inched Down in November

Tempe, AZ, December 2, 2019-The November Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) registered 48.1%, a decrease of 0.2 percentage point from the October reading of 48.3%, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business. 

The New Orders Index registered 47.2%, a decrease of 1.9 percentage points from the October reading of 49.1%. 

The Production Index registered 49.1%, up 2.9 percentage points compared to the October reading of 46.2%. 

The Backlog of Orders Index registered 43%, down 1.1 percentage points compared to the October reading of 44.1%. 

The Employment Index registered 46.6%, a 1.1-percentage point decrease from the October reading of 47.7%. 

The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 52%, a 2.5-percentage point increase from the October reading of 49.5%. 

The Inventories Index registered 45.5%, a decrease of 3.4 percentage points from the October reading of 48.9%. 

The Prices Index registered 46.7%, a 1.2-percentage point increase from the October reading of 45.5%. 

The New Export Orders Index registered 47.9%, a 2.5-percentage point decrease from the October reading of 50.4%. 

The Imports Index registered 48.3%, a three-percentage point increase from the October reading of 45.3%.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, five reported growth in November: apparel, leather & allied products; food, beverage & tobacco products; paper products; miscellaneous manufacturing; and computer & electronic products. The 13 industries reporting contraction in November-listed in order-are wood products; printing & related support activities; furniture & related products; textile mills; fabricated metal products; transportation equipment; primary metals; plastics & rubber products; petroleum & coal products; nonmetallic mineral products; machinery; chemical products; and electrical equipment, appliances & components.