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      Manufacturing PMI® at 47.4%; January 2023 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®

      Institute for Supply Management logo. (PRNewsFoto/Institute for Supply Management) (PRNewsfoto/Institute for Supply Management)

      News provided by

      Institute for Supply Management

      Feb 01, 2023, 10:00 ET

      Share this article

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      New Orders and Production Contracting; Backlogs Contracting; Supplier Deliveries Faster; Raw Materials Inventories Growing; Customers' Inventories Too Low; Prices Decreasing; Exports and Imports Contracting

      This report reflects the recently completed annual adjustments to the seasonal factors used to calculate the indexes.

      TEMPE, Ariz., Feb. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in January for the third consecutive month following a 28-month period of growth, 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 January Manufacturing PMI® registered 47.4 percent, 1 percentage point lower than the seasonally adjusted 48.4 percent recorded in December. Regarding the overall economy, this figure indicates a second month of contraction after a 30-month period of expansion. The Manufacturing PMI® figure is the lowest since May 2020, when it registered a seasonally adjusted 43.5 percent. The New Orders Index remained in contraction territory at 42.5 percent, 2.6 percentage points lower than the seasonally adjusted figure of 45.1 percent recorded in December. The Production Index reading of 48 percent is a 0.6-percentage point decrease compared to December's seasonally adjusted figure of 48.6 percent. The Prices Index registered 44.5 percent, up 5.1 percentage points compared to the December figure of 39.4 percent. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 43.4 percent, 2 percentage points higher than the December reading of 41.4 percent. The Employment Index continued in expansion territory (50.6 percent, down 0.2 percentage point from December's seasonally adjusted 50.8 percent) after emerging from contraction territory (48.9 percent, seasonally adjusted) in November. The Supplier Deliveries Index figure of 45.6 percent is 0.5 percentage point higher than the 45.1 percent recorded in December; the last two readings are the index's lowest since March 2009 (43.2 percent). The Inventories Index registered 50.2 percent, 2.1 percentage points lower than the seasonally adjusted December reading of 52.3 percent. The New Export Orders Index reading of 49.4 percent is 3.2 percentage points higher than December's figure of 46.2 percent. The Imports Index continued in contraction territory at 47.8 percent, 2.7 percentage points above the December reading of 45.1 percent."

      Fiore continues, "The U.S. manufacturing sector again contracted, with the Manufacturing PMI® at its lowest level since the coronavirus pandemic recovery began. With Business Survey Committee panelists reporting softening new order rates over the previous nine months, the January composite index reading reflects companies slowing outputs to better match demand in the first half of 2023 and prepare for growth in the second half of the year. Demand eased, with the (1) New Orders Index contracting strongly, (2) New Export Orders Index still below 50 percent but improving, (3) Customers' Inventories Index contracting slightly, a positive for future production and (4) Backlog of Orders Index recovering for a second month, but still in strong contraction. Output/Consumption (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) was negative, with a combined 0.8-percentage point downward impact on the Manufacturing PMI® calculation. The Employment Index remained just above 50 percent and the Production Index logged a second month in contraction territory. Panelists' companies are indicating that they are not going to substantially reduce head counts as they are positive about the second half of the year. Inputs — defined as supplier deliveries, inventories, prices and imports — continue to accommodate future demand growth. The Supplier Deliveries Index indicated faster deliveries, and the Inventories Index expanded at a slower rate as panelists' companies manage the total supply chain inventory. The Prices Index contracted for the fourth consecutive month, but at a slower rate.

      "Of the six biggest manufacturing industries, one — Transportation Equipment — registered growth in January.

      "New order rates remain depressed due to buyer and supplier disagreements regarding price levels and delivery lead times; these should be resolved by the second quarter. In the meantime, panelists' companies are attempting to maintain head-count levels during the anticipated slow first half in preparation for a strong performance in the second half of 2023. Eighty-six percent of manufacturing gross domestic product (GDP) is contracting, up from 85 percent in December. However, 26 percent of sector industries had a composite PMI® calculation of below 45 percent in January (a stronger indication of industry sluggishness), down from 35 percent the previous month," says Fiore.

      The two manufacturing industries that reported growth in January are: Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Transportation Equipment. The 15 industries reporting contraction in January, in the following order, are: Wood Products; Textile Mills; Paper Products; Furniture & Related Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Primary Metals; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Chemical Products; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; and Computer & Electronic Products.

      WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING

      • "Business is still strong, but we have begun to see softening in some pricing, and lead times seem to be improving." [Computer & Electronic Products]
      • "Conditions are reasonable. Sales are a little better than planned. Cost pressures are easing for most products. There have been a lot fewer supply disruptions so far this year, and few expected in the short term. The crystal ball remains a little blurry for the rest of 2023." [Chemical Products]
      • "Sales have dropped (as expected) at the beginning of the year. Forecast from the sales department is showing even lower sales then we expected. If this holds true, inventory levels will rise slightly over next month and a half." [Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products]
      • "Supply chain issues continue to plague our production schedules. Transportation from our overseas suppliers is also contributing to delays. Lead times have doubled for critical electronics, gaskets, sealants, and specialized steel." [Transportation Equipment]
      • "Strong big ag demand continues to drive heightened demand for parts. Large construction/off highway original equipment manufacturers have strong demand as well. Creating continued capacity constraints with the supply base." [Machinery]
      • "Some business segments showing demand softening globally. Many materials showing improved lead times as well as cost deflation." [Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components]
      • "Thus far, the outlook for the first half of 2023 looks very soft. Demand for our products has taken a sharp downward turn. Our inventories are high, as well as our customers'. It seems everyone is bracing for a recession." [Fabricated Metal Products]
      • "Customers are being quite aggressive in pursuing price decreases, far beyond the price relief we are actually receiving from our suppliers." [Miscellaneous Manufacturing]
      • "Industrial construction is strong. Commercial construction is slower." [Nonmetallic Mineral Products]
      • "In the past two weeks, we are seeing a slowing of new orders." [Primary Metals]

      MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE
      January 2023

      Index

      Series
      Index

      Jan

      Series
      Index

      Dec

      Percentage

      Point

      Change

      Direction

      Rate of
      Change

      Trend*
      (Months)

      Manufacturing PMI®

      47.4

      48.4

      -1.0

      Contracting

      Faster

      3

      New Orders

      42.5

      45.1

      -2.6

      Contracting

      Faster

      5

      Production

      48.0

      48.6

      -0.6

      Contracting

      Faster

      2

      Employment

      50.6

      50.8

      -0.2

      Growing

      Slower

      2

      Supplier Deliveries

      45.6

      45.1

      +0.5

      Faster

      Slower

      4

      Inventories

      50.2

      52.3

      -2.1

      Growing

      Slower

      18

      Customers' Inventories

      47.4

      48.2

      -0.8

      Too Low

      Faster

      76

      Prices

      44.5

      39.4

      +5.1

      Decreasing

      Slower

      4

      Backlog of Orders

      43.4

      41.4

      +2.0

      Contracting

      Slower

      4

      New Export Orders

      49.4

      46.2

      +3.2

      Contracting

      Slower

      6

      Imports

      47.8

      45.1

      +2.7

      Contracting

      Slower

      3

      OVERALL ECONOMY

      Contracting

      Faster

      2

      Manufacturing Sector

      Contracting

      Faster

      3

      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.
      Indexes reflect newly released seasonal adjustment factors.

      COMMODITIES REPORTED UP/DOWN IN PRICE AND IN SHORT SUPPLY

      Commodities Up in Price
      Aluminum*; Copper (2); Copper Products; Electrical Components (3); Freight* (2); Packaging Materials; Portland Cement; Steel — Carbon; Steel — Hot Rolled; Steel — Scrap; and Steel Products*.

      Commodities Down in Price
      Aluminum (9)*; Aluminum Products (2); Coconut Products; Corrugate (2); Corrugated Boxes; Crude Oil (2); Diesel (2); Freight* (3); High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Resin; Lumber; Methanol; Natural Gas (2); Ocean Freight (5); Petroleum Based Products; Plastic Based Products; Plastic Resins (8); Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET); Polypropylene (6); Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC); Solvents; Steel (9); Steel Bars; and Steel Products (7)*.

      Commodities in Short Supply
      Bearings (2); Electrical Components (28); Electronic Components (26); Hydraulic Components (9); Semiconductors (26); Steel — Stainless; and Steel Products.

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

      JANUARY 2023 MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES

      Manufacturing PMI®
      The U.S. manufacturing sector contracted in January, as the Manufacturing PMI® registered 47.4 percent, 1 percentage point below the seasonally adjusted reading of 48.4 percent recorded in December. "This is the third month of slow contraction and the continuation of a downward trend that began in June 2022. Of the five subindexes that directly factor into the Manufacturing PMI®, two (Employment and Inventories) were in growth territory; however, both slowed compared to December. The PMI® registered its lowest level since May 2020, when the index registered a seasonally adjusted 43.5 percent. Of the six biggest manufacturing industries, only Transportation Equipment registered growth, albeit weak, in January. The Production Index logged a second month in contraction territory. Only two of the 10 subindexes were positive for the period," 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 48.7 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the January Manufacturing PMI® indicates the overall economy contracted in January for a second consecutive month after 30 straight months of expansion. "The past relationship between the Manufacturing PMI® and the overall economy indicates that the Manufacturing PMI® for January (47.4 percent) corresponds to a -0.5-percent change in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis," says Fiore.

      THE LAST 12 MONTHS

      Month

      Manufacturing
      PMI®

      Month

      Manufacturing
      PMI®

      Jan 2023

      47.4

      Jul 2022

      52.7

      Dec 2022

      48.4

      Jun 2022

      53.1

      Nov 2022

      49.0

      May 2022

      56.1

      Oct 2022

      50.0

      Apr 2022

      55.9

      Sep 2022

      51.0

      Mar 2022

      57.0

      Aug 2022

      52.9

      Feb 2022

      58.4

      Average for 12 months – 52.7

      High – 58.4

      Low – 47.4

      New Orders
      ISM®'s New Orders Index contracted for the fifth consecutive month in January, registering 42.5 percent, a decrease of 2.6 percentage points compared to December's seasonally adjusted reading of 45.1 percent. "None of the six largest manufacturing sectors reported increased new orders. Uncertainty regarding future demand, buyer/supplier disagreements on prices and lead times, and hangover from overordering in 2021 and 2022 continue to weigh heavily on the index," says Fiore. (For more on lead times, see the Buying Policy section of this report.) A New Orders Index above 52.7 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau's series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).

      None of the 18 manufacturing industries reported growth in new orders in January. Seventeen industries reported a decline in new orders in January, in the following order: Wood Products; Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Paper Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Petroleum & Coal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Transportation Equipment.

      New Orders

      %Higher

      %Same

      %Lower

      Net

      Index

      Jan 2023

      15.4

      50.3

      34.3

      -18.9

      42.5

      Dec 2022

      15.8

      52.7

      31.5

      -15.7

      45.1

      Nov 2022

      12.7

      62.3

      25.0

      -12.3

      46.8

      Oct 2022

      18.3

      56.4

      25.3

      -7.0

      48.2

      Production
      The Production Index registered 48 percent in January, 0.6 percentage point lower than the seasonally adjusted December reading of 48.6 percent, indicating a second month of contraction after 30 consecutive months of growth. "Of the top six industries, only one — Computer & Electronic Products — expanded in January. Weak contraction in the Production Index supports manufacturing executives' strategy to stretch out output during the first half of 2023, as panelists' companies attempt to retain workers to prepare for better second-half performance," 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 only industry reporting growth in production during the month of January is Computer & Electronic Products. The 14 industries reporting a decrease in production in January — in the following order — are: Textile Mills; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Paper Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Wood Products; Primary Metals; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products.

      Production

      %Higher

      %Same

      %Lower

      Net

      Index

      Jan 2023

      17.9

      53.7

      28.4

      -10.5

      48.0

      Dec 2022

      17.3

      56.2

      26.5

      -9.2

      48.6

      Nov 2022

      20.2

      61.7

      18.1

      +2.1

      50.9

      Oct 2022

      20.2

      62.3

      17.5

      +2.7

      51.9

      Employment
      ISM®'s Employment Index registered 50.6 percent in January, 0.2 percentage point lower than the seasonally adjusted December reading of 50.8 percent. "The index indicated employment expanded weakly for a second month in a row after contracting for three months. Of the six big manufacturing sectors, only two (Machinery; and Transportation Equipment) expanded. Labor management sentiment reversed in the month, with a strong majority of panelists' companies attempting to hire compared to reducing their employment levels. Although layoffs are occurring, there is a 4-to-1 hiring to reduction ratio (2-to-1 in the previous four months) as companies make decisions to retain workforces to support projected second-half growth. Turnover rates remained stable. For those companies increasing their head counts, comments continue to support an improving hiring environment," says Fiore. An Employment Index above 50.4 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment.

      Of 18 manufacturing industries, five reported employment growth in January: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Machinery; Plastics & Rubber Products; Transportation Equipment; and Fabricated Metal Products. The nine industries reporting a decrease in employment in January — in the following order — are: Textile Mills; Paper Products; Wood Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Furniture & Related Products; Primary Metals; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Computer & Electronic Products; and Chemical Products.

      Employment

      %Higher

      %Same

      %Lower

      Net

      Index

      Jan 2023

      15.2

      67.8

      17.0

      -1.8

      50.6

      Dec 2022

      15.6

      67.5

      16.9

      -1.3

      50.8

      Nov 2022

      12.8

      70.6

      16.6

      -3.8

      48.9

      Oct 2022

      16.0

      68.9

      15.1

      +0.9

      49.9

      Supplier Deliveries†
      The delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was faster for a fourth straight month in January, as the Supplier Deliveries Index registered 45.6 percent, 0.5 percentage point higher than the 45.1 percent reported in December. The last two readings indicate the fastest supplier delivery performance since March 2009, when the index registered 43.2 percent. Of the top six manufacturing industries, only Petroleum & Coal Products reported slower deliveries. "Panelist comments indicate early signs of sellers' eagerness to fill up order books after nine months of softening new order levels," says Fiore. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

      Two of 18 manufacturing industries reported slower supplier deliveries in January: Textile Mills; and Petroleum & Coal Products. The 12 industries reporting faster supplier deliveries in January as compared to December — in the following order — are: Plastics & Rubber Products; Furniture & Related Products; Wood Products; Paper Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Fabricated Metal Products.

      Supplier Deliveries

      %Slower

      %Same

      %Faster

      Net

      Index

      Jan 2023

      11.2

      68.8

      20.0

      -8.8

      45.6

      Dec 2022

      12.3

      65.6

      22.1

      -9.8

      45.1

      Nov 2022

      13.9

      66.5

      19.6

      -5.7

      47.2

      Oct 2022

      11.7

      70.2

      18.1

      -6.4

      46.8

      Inventories
      The Inventories Index registered 50.2 percent in January, 2.1 percentage points lower than the seasonally adjusted 52.3 percent reported for December. "Manufacturing inventories expanded at a slower rate compared to December. Of the six big manufacturing industries, three (Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products) increased manufacturing raw material inventories in January. Manufacturing inventories are being managed appropriately amid demand uncertainty, especially in the first half of the year," 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, the nine reporting higher inventories in January — in the following order — are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Paper Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Plastics & Rubber Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. The five industries reporting contracting inventories in January are: Furniture & Related Products; Wood Products; Machinery; Fabricated Metal Products; and Chemical Products.

      Inventories

      %Higher

      %Same

      %Lower

      Net

      Index

      Jan 2023

      22.1

      57.1

      20.8

      +1.3

      50.2

      Dec 2022

      20.0

      59.5

      20.5

      -0.5

      52.3

      Nov 2022

      20.9

      58.3

      20.8

      +0.1

      51.1

      Oct 2022

      21.6

      63.3

      15.1

      +6.5

      53.0

      Customers' Inventories†
      ISM®'s Customers' Inventories Index registered 47.4 percent in January, 0.8 percentage point lower than the 48.2 percent reported for December. "Customers' inventory levels remain 'just right.' January's performance indicates that panelists' companies sellers and buyers are finding a fair balance regarding inventory transfers," says Fiore.

      Seven industries reported customers' inventories as too high in January, in the following order: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Paper Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Primary Metals; and Chemical Products. The seven industries reporting customers' inventories as too low in January — listed in order — are: Textile Mills; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Fabricated Metal Products.

      Customers'
      Inventories

      %
      Reporting

      %Too
      High

      %About
      Right

      %Too
      Low

      Net

      Index

      Jan 2023

      75

      18.5

      57.8

      23.7

      -5.2

      47.4

      Dec 2022

      78

      15.2

      66.0

      18.8

      -3.6

      48.2

      Nov 2022

      77

      20.6

      56.2

      23.2

      -2.6

      48.7

      Oct 2022

      74

      13.4

      56.3

      30.3

      -16.9

      41.6

      Prices†
      The ISM® Prices Index registered 44.5 percent in January, 5.1 percentage points higher compared to the December reading of 39.4 percent, indicating raw materials prices decreased for the fourth straight month after a 28-month period in "increasing" territory. "This ties the longest streak of declining Prices Index readings since the onset of the pandemic, from February through May 2020. Between April and December 2022, the index decreased 47.7 percentage points, including a combined 26-percentage point plunge in July and August. Only two of the top six manufacturing industries (Computer & Electronic Products; and Machinery) reported price increases in January. Panelist companies reporting 'same' or 'lower' prices continues to be the result of inventory dynamics preventing buyers and sellers from reaching agreements, which would unleash more new orders," says Fiore. A Prices Index above 52.9 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials.

      In January, four industries reported paying increased prices for raw materials: Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Computer & Electronic Products; and Machinery. The nine industries reporting paying decreased prices for raw materials in January — in the following order — are: Plastics & Rubber Products; Wood Products; Transportation Equipment; Paper Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Furniture & Related Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products.

      Prices

      %Higher

      %Same

      %Lower

      Net

      Index

      Jan 2023

      18.2

      52.5

      29.3

      -11.1

      44.5

      Dec 2022

      13.6

      51.6

      34.8

      -21.2

      39.4

      Nov 2022

      13.1

      59.8

      27.1

      -14.0

      43.0

      Oct 2022

      19.7

      53.8

      26.5

      -6.8

      46.6

      Backlog of Orders†
      ISM®'s Backlog of Orders Index registered 43.4 percent in January, a 2-percentage point increase compared to December's reading of 41.4 percent, indicating order backlogs contracted for the fourth consecutive month after a 27-month period of expansion. Of the six largest manufacturing sectors, two — Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Chemical Products — expanded order backlogs in January. "Backlogs contracted again at notable rates, as weak new order levels negatively impacted manufacturing planning, resulting in fewer new orders to suppliers. Panelists continue to work off backlog (overdue orders) as new order rates continue to soften," says Fiore. 

      Two industries reported growth in order backlogs in January: Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Chemical Products. Fourteen industries reported lower backlogs in January, in the following order: Textile Mills; Paper Products; Wood Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

      Backlog of
      Orders

      %
      Reporting

      %Higher

      %Same

      %Lower

      Net

      Index

      Jan 2023

      91

      15.9

      55.0

      29.1

      -13.2

      43.4

      Dec 2022

      93

      11.5

      59.7

      28.8

      -17.3

      41.4

      Nov 2022

      91

      13.7

      52.6

      33.7

      -20.0

      40.0

      Oct 2022

      93

      17.4

      55.8

      26.8

      -9.4

      45.3

      New Export Orders†
      ISM®'s New Export Orders Index registered 49.4 percent in January, 3.2 percentage points higher than the December reading of 46.2 percent. "The New Export Orders Index contracted in January for the sixth consecutive month after 25 straight months in expansion territory. Weakness in European economies should continue for the foreseeable future, offset by China's relaxing of zero-COVID policies," says Fiore.

      Four industries reported growth in new export orders in January: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Wood Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; and Fabricated Metal Products. The six industries reporting a decrease in new export orders in January — in the following order — are: Chemical Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; and Transportation Equipment. Seven industries reported no change in new export orders in January compared to December.

      New Export
      Orders

      %
      Reporting

      %Higher

      %Same

      %Lower

      Net

      Index

      Jan 2023

      71

      12.2

      74.4

      13.4

      -1.2

      49.4

      Dec 2022

      72

      5.6

      81.2

      13.2

      -7.6

      46.2

      Nov 2022

      72

      11.2

      74.4

      14.4

      -3.2

      48.4

      Oct 2022

      73

      6.7

      79.5

      13.8

      -7.1

      46.5

      Imports†
      ISM®'s Imports Index registered 47.8 percent in January, an increase of 2.7 percentage points compared to December's figure of 45.1 percent. "The index remained in contraction in January following a recent five-month period of expansion, continuing at levels not seen since May 2020 (41.3 percent). Panelists' comments indicate that the index contraction is a combination of sluggish demand as well as lingering effects from China's zero-COVID policies, as well as Lunar New Year. There is some concern that the latter issue may start affecting U.S. output beginning in March," says Fiore.

      The eight industries reporting an increase in import volumes in January — in the following order — are: Textile Mills; Paper Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Primary Metals; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Transportation Equipment; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. Nine industries reported lower volumes of imports in January, in the following order: Wood Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Chemical Products.

      Imports

      % Reporting

      %Higher

      %Same

      %Lower

      Net

      Index

      Jan 2023

      81

      12.4

      70.7

      16.9

      -4.5

      47.8

      Dec 2022

      85

      7.3

      75.6

      17.1

      -9.8

      45.1

      Nov 2022

      84

      10.2

      72.8

      17.0

      -6.8

      46.6

      Oct 2022

      84

      9.3

      82.9

      7.8

      +1.5

      50.8

      †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 January was 166 days, a decrease of five days compared to December. Average lead time in January for Production Materials was 87 days, an increase of two days. Average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies was 41 days, a decrease of six days. 

      Percent Reporting

      Capital
      Expenditures

      Hand-to-
      Mouth

      30 Days

      60 Days

      90 Days

      6 Months

      1 Year+

      Average
      Days

      Jan 2023

      15

      5

      8

      13

      36

      23

      166

      Dec 2022

      16

      6

      7

      12

      33

      26

      171

      Nov 2022

      16

      4

      8

      11

      33

      28

      177

      Oct 2022

      16

      6

      6

      12

      30

      30

      179

      Percent Reporting

      Production
      Materials

      Hand-to-Mouth

      30 Days

      60 Days

      90 Days

      6 Months

      1 Year+

      Average
      Days

      Jan 2023

      9

      24

      27

      22

      12

      6

      87

      Dec 2022

      11

      19

      28

      25

      12

      5

      85

      Nov 2022

      8

      23

      25

      27

      13

      4

      84

      Oct 2022

      8

      21

      26

      25

      13

      7

      93

      Percent Reporting

      MRO Supplies

      Hand-to-
      Mouth

      30 Days

      60 Days

      90 Days

      6 Months

      1 Year+

      Average
      Days

      Jan 2023

      28

      37

      19

      13

      3

      0

      41

      Dec 2022

      29

      33

      17

      16

      4

      1

      47

      Nov 2022

      30

      34

      17

      15

      3

      1

      44

      Oct 2022

      27

      36

      16

      15

      5

      1

      48

      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 January 2023.

      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 industry's 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 the BEA estimates for 2021 GDP (released December 22, 2022), the six largest manufacturing subsectors are: Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; and Petroleum & Coal 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 48.7 percent, over a period of time, indicates that the overall economy, or gross domestic product (GDP), is generally expanding; below 48.7 percent, it is generally declining. The distance from 50 percent or 48.7 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 [email protected]. 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®, 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®
      Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) serves supply management professionals in more than 90 countries. Its 50,000 members around the world manage about US$1 trillion in corporate and government supply chain procurement annually. Founded in 1915 as the first supply management institute in the world, 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 leads the profession through the ISM® Report On Business®, its highly regarded certification programs and the ISM® Advance™ Digital Platform. This report has been issued by the association since 1931, except for a four-year interruption during World War II.

      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 next Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business® featuring February 2023 data will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.

      *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: [email protected]

      SOURCE Institute for Supply Management

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