Connect with us

Technology

Manufacturing PMI® at 49.3%; December 2024 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®

Published

on

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

TEMPE, Ariz., Jan. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in December for the ninth consecutive month and the 25th time in the last 26 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 49.3 percent in December, 0.9 percentage point higher compared to the 48.4 percent recorded in November. The overall economy continued in expansion for the 56th 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 continued in expansion territory for the second month after seven months of contraction, strengthening to 52.5 percent, 2.1 percentage points higher than the 50.4 percent recorded in November. The December reading of the Production Index (50.3 percent) is 3.5 percentage points higher than November’s figure of 46.8 percent. The index returned to expansion after six months in contraction. The Prices Index continued in expansion (or ‘increasing’) territory, registering 52.5 percent, up 2.2 percentage points compared to the reading of 50.3 percent in November. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 45.9 percent, up 4.1 percentage points compared to the 41.8 percent recorded in November. The Employment Index registered 45.3 percent, down 2.8 percentage points from November’s figure of 48.1 percent.

“The Supplier Deliveries Index indicated marginally slower deliveries, registering 50.1 percent, 1.4 percentage points higher than the 48.7 percent recorded in November. (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 48.4 percent, up 0.3 percentage point compared to November’s reading of 48.1 percent.

“The New Export Orders Index’s ‘unchanged’ reading of 50 percent is 1.3 percentage points higher than the 48.7 percent registered in November. The Imports Index remained in contraction territory in December, registering 49.7 percent, 2.1 percentage points higher than November’s reading of 47.6 percent.”

Fiore continues, “U.S. manufacturing activity contracted again in December, but at a slower rate compared to November. Demand showed signs of improving, while output stabilized and inputs stayed accommodative. Demand analysis includes: the (1) New Orders Index remaining in expansion territory, (2) New Export Orders Index increasing (up 1.3 percentage points and now ‘unchanged’), (3) Backlog of Orders Index slowing its rate of decline but continuing in contraction territory, and (4) Customers’ Inventories Index dropping into ‘too low’ territory. Output (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) was positive; factory output stabilized compared to November, indicating that panelists’ companies are executing to plan. Employment contracted as final head-count adjustments were likely taken to prepare for 2025. Inputs — defined as supplier deliveries, inventories, prices and imports — generally continued to accommodate future demand growth, with inventories and imports improving marginally (though remaining in contraction), prices increasing and supplier deliveries marginally slowing.

“Demand improved, production execution met November’s performance (and companies’ plans), de-staffing continued (but should end soon), and price growth was marginal. Fifty-two percent of manufacturing gross domestic product (GDP) contracted in December, down from 66 percent in November. The share of manufacturing sector GDP registering a composite PMI® calculation at or below 45 percent (a good barometer of overall manufacturing weakness) was 49 percent in December, a 1-percentage point increase compared to the 48 percent reported in November. None of the six largest manufacturing industries expanded in December, down from two in November,” says Fiore.

The seven manufacturing industries reporting growth in December — listed in order — are: Primary Metals; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Plastics & Rubber Products. The seven industries reporting contraction in December — in the following order — are: Textile Mills; Fabricated Metal Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Machinery; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products.

WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING

“Slightly lower due to seasonality and end-of-year destocking.” [Chemical Products]”Automotive and powersport volume decreases.” [Transportation Equipment]”We are seeing a softening in sales. This is concerning as it’s our peak season.” [Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products]”We are constrained by technical labor, despite higher-than-normal backlog.” [Computer & Electronic Products]”Significant slowdown in production requirements in the last two months of the year.” [Machinery]”Order levels well below forecast projections.” [Fabricated Metal Products]”The increase in new orders has our plant at full capacity.” [Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components]”Combo of seasonal factors plus increased demand outlook for 2025.” [Miscellaneous Manufacturing]”There is definitely an uptick this month, though not a stable one.” [Primary Metals]”The orders have increased slightly due to seasonal restocking.” [Plastics & Rubber Products]

MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE
December 2024

Index

Series
Index

Dec

Series
Index

Nov

Percentage

Point

Change

Direction

Rate of
Change

Trend*
(Months)

Manufacturing PMI®

49.3

48.4

+0.9

Contracting

Slower

9

New Orders

52.5

50.4

+2.1

Growing

Faster

2

Production

50.3

46.8

+3.5

Growing

From
Contracting

1

Employment

45.3

48.1

-2.8

Contracting

Faster

7

Supplier Deliveries

50.1

48.7

+1.4

Slowing

From Faster

1

Inventories

48.4

48.1

+0.3

Contracting

Slower

4

Customers’ Inventories

46.7

48.4

-1.7

Too Low

Faster

3

Prices

52.5

50.3

+2.2

Increasing

Faster

3

Backlog of Orders

45.9

41.8

+4.1

Contracting

Slower

27

New Export Orders

50.0

48.7

+1.3

Unchanged

From
Contracting

1

Imports

49.7

47.6

+2.1

Contracting

Slower

7

OVERALL ECONOMY

Growing

Faster

56

Manufacturing Sector

Contracting

Slower

9

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 (13); Caustic Soda (2); Copper (3); Electronic Components; Labor — Temporary; Methanol; Natural Gas (3); Packaging Materials; Steel — General*; Steel — High Carbon; and Steel-Making Elements*.

Commodities Down in Price
Diesel Fuel (2); Plastic Resin (2); Polypropylene Resin; Solvents (2); Steel — General*; Steel — Hot Rolled (2); Steel — Scrap; and Steel-Making Elements*.

Commodities in Short Supply
Electrical Components (51); Electronic Components (9); and Labor — Construction Services and Skilled.

Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.

*Indicates both up and down in price.

DECEMBER 2024 MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES

Manufacturing PMI®
The U.S. manufacturing sector contracted for the ninth consecutive month in December, as the Manufacturing PMI® registered 49.3 percent, 0.9 percentage point higher compared to the 48.4 percent reported in November. “After breaking a 16-month streak of contraction by expanding in March, the manufacturing sector has contracted for the last nine months. Of the five subindexes that directly factor into the Manufacturing PMI®, three (New Orders, Production and Supplier Deliveries) were in expansion territory, compared to only one in November. The Employment Index remained in contraction, but the New Orders Index moved further into expansion in December. Of the six biggest manufacturing industries, none 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 December Manufacturing PMI® indicates the overall economy grew for the 56th straight month after last contracting in April 2020. “The past relationship between the Manufacturing PMI® and the overall economy indicates that the December reading (49.3 percent) corresponds to a change of plus-1.9 percent in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis,” says Fiore.

THE LAST 12 MONTHS

Month

Manufacturing
PMI®

Month

Manufacturing
PMI®

Dec 2024

49.3

Jun 2024

48.5

Nov 2024

48.4

May 2024

48.7

Oct 2024

46.5

Apr 2024

49.2

Sep 2024

47.2

Mar 2024

50.3

Aug 2024

47.2

Feb 2024

47.8

Jul 2024

46.8

Jan 2024

49.1

Average for 12 months – 48.3

High – 50.3

Low – 46.5

New Orders
ISM®’s New Orders Index expanded in December for the second consecutive month after seven months in contraction, registering 52.5 percent, an increase of 2.1 percentage points compared to November’s figure of 50.4 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 (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products) reported increased new orders. Panelists noted an improved level of demand performance, with a 1.5-to-1 ratio of positive comments versus those expressing concern about near-term demand, an improvement compared to November,” 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 December, in order, are: Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Paper Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Primary Metals; and Computer & Electronic Products. The eight industries reporting a decline in new orders in December — in the following order — are: Textile Mills; Printing & Related Support Activities; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Wood Products; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; and Machinery.

New Orders

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2024

21.0

54.9

24.1

-3.1

52.5

Nov 2024

21.0

54.3

24.7

-3.7

50.4

Oct 2024

20.4

50.6

29.0

-8.6

47.1

Sep 2024

17.6

56.1

26.3

-8.7

46.1

Production
The Production Index emerged into expansion territory in December, registering 50.3 percent, 3.5 percentage points higher than the November reading of 46.8 percent. Prior to this month’s reading, the index was in contraction territory for six consecutive months. The last time the index registered above 50 percent was in May (50.2 percent). Of the six largest manufacturing sectors, only one (Computer & Electronic Products) reported increased production. “Production levels were stable to November’s performance, indicating that re-planning factory floor activity has likely been completed, head counts are likely synchronized with factory demand, and panelists are fully staffed and aligned for 2025,” 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 five industries reporting growth in production during the month of December are: Textile Mills; Plastics & Rubber Products; Wood Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Primary Metals. The six industries reporting a decrease in production in December, in order, are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Fabricated Metal Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; and Transportation Equipment. Six industries reported no change in production levels in December as compared to November.

Production

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2024

15.3

59.3

25.4

-10.1

50.3

Nov 2024

15.9

63.2

20.9

-5.0

46.8

Oct 2024

16.8

59.3

23.9

-7.1

46.2

Sep 2024

17.6

60.7

21.7

-4.1

49.8

Employment
ISM®’s Employment Index registered 45.3 percent in December, 2.8 percentage points lower than the November reading of 48.1 percent. “The index contracted for the seventh consecutive month and the 14th out of the last 15 months. Of the six big manufacturing sectors, none expanded employment in December. Respondents’ companies are continuing to reduce head counts through layoffs, attrition and hiring freezes. This action is supported in December by the approximately 1-to-2 ratio of hiring versus staff-reduction comments, compared to a 1-to-1.5 ratio the previous month, meaning more workforce reduction activity is occurring as we close 2025,” 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 December are: Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Plastics & Rubber Products. The nine industries reporting a decrease in employment in December, in the following order, are: Textile Mills; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; Furniture & Related Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. Six industries reported no change in employment levels in December as compared to November.

Employment

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2024

7.0

75.3

17.7

-10.7

45.3

Nov 2024

14.2

65.3

20.5

-6.3

48.1

Oct 2024

9.0

70.6

20.4

-11.4

44.4

Sep 2024

8.0

69.3

22.7

-14.7

43.9

Supplier Deliveries†
Delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was marginally slower in December, with the Supplier Deliveries Index registering 50.1 percent, a 1.4-percentage point increase compared to the reading of 48.7 percent reported in November. This expansion follows a contraction in November preceded by four consecutive months of slower deliveries, with four straight months of faster deliveries before that. After a reading of 52.4 percent in September 2022, the index went into contraction territory the following month and remained there for 20 out of 21 months (with February 2024 as the exception). Of the six big industries, two (Computer & Electronic Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products) reported slower supplier deliveries in December. “Supplier deliveries moved into ‘slower’ territory as supplier delivery performance continues to meet the expectations of panelists’ customers,” says Fiore. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

The six manufacturing industries reporting slower supplier deliveries in December — listed in order — are: Furniture & Related Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The three industries reporting faster supplier deliveries in December are: Fabricated Metal Products; Chemical Products; and Machinery. Eight industries reported no change in supplier deliveries in December as compared to November.

Supplier Deliveries

%Slower

%Same

%Faster

Net

Index

Dec 2024

6.4

87.4

6.2

+0.2

50.1

Nov 2024

5.7

86.0

8.3

-2.6

48.7

Oct 2024

11.9

80.1

8.0

+3.9

52.0

Sep 2024

10.4

83.6

6.0

+4.4

52.2

Inventories
The Inventories Index registered 48.4 percent in December, up 0.3 percentage point compared to the reading of 48.1 percent reported in November. The last time the Inventories Index registered above 50 percent was in August, when it registered 50.3 percent. “Manufacturing inventories continue to contract, though rates have slowed in in the last two months as panelists continue to manage working capital. This month’s index reading indicating a slowing rate of contraction suggests that companies are willing to invest more for the future, to (1) better perform to their customers’ delivery demands or (2) advance material deliveries to avoid potential tariffs, or a combination of both. Of the six big industries, none reported expanding manufacturing inventories in December,” 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 five industries reporting higher inventories in December are: Primary Metals; Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. The eight industries reporting lower inventories in December — in the following order — are: Textile Mills; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; and Transportation Equipment.

Inventories

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2024

14.4

64.8

20.8

-6.4

48.4

Nov 2024

15.5

63.2

21.3

-5.8

48.1

Oct 2024

14.2

59.1

26.7

-12.5

42.6

Sep 2024

11.2

66.5

22.3

-11.1

43.9

Customers’ Inventories†
ISM®’s Customers’ Inventories Index registered a reading of 46.7 percent in December, down 1.7 percentage points compared to the 48.4 percent reported in November. “Customers’ inventory levels in December have dropped to the high side of ‘too low.’ Panelists are reporting that the amounts of their products in their customers’ inventories suggest a demand level that is positive for future production,” says Fiore.

The four industries reporting customers’ inventories as too high in December are: Textile Mills; Wood Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The 10 industries reporting customers’ inventories as too low in December, in order, are: Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Paper Products; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; Primary Metals; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products.

Customers’
Inventories

%
Reporting

%Too
High

%About
Right

%Too
Low

Net

Index

Dec 2024

78

11.5

70.3

18.2

-6.7

46.7

Nov 2024

77

10.6

75.5

13.9

-3.3

48.4

Oct 2024

80

12.2

69.1

18.7

-6.5

46.8

Sep 2024

76

13.2

73.6

13.2

0.0

50.0

Prices†
The ISM® Prices Index registered 52.5 percent, 2.2 percentage points higher compared to the November reading of 50.3 percent, indicating raw materials prices increased for the third straight month in December after a decrease in September. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, three — Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; and Computer & Electronic Products — reported price increases in December. “The Prices Index indicated increasing prices in December for the third consecutive month, but at weak rates. Aluminum, basic chemicals, copper and natural gas registered increases, offset by steel, plastic resins and diesel fuel moving down in price. Fourteen percent of companies reported higher prices in December, compared to 12 percent in November,” 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 December, the seven industries that reported paying increased prices for raw materials, in order, are: Primary Metals; Wood Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. The three industries report paying decreased prices for raw materials in December are: Plastics & Rubber Products; Chemical Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. Seven industries reported no change in prices in December as compared to November.


Prices

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2024

14.4

76.1

9.5

+4.9

52.5

Nov 2024

12.2

76.1

11.7

+0.5

50.3

Oct 2024

19.8

69.9

10.3

+9.5

54.8

Sep 2024

12.9

70.7

16.4

-3.5

48.3

Backlog of Orders†
ISM®’s Backlog of Orders Index registered 45.9 percent, an increase of 4.1 percentage points compared to the November reading of 41.8 percent, indicating order backlogs contracted for the 27th consecutive month after a 27-month period of expansion. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, two (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products) reported expanded order backlogs in December. “In December, the index recorded its best performance since April 2024 (45.4 percent), as new orders coupled with stable production levels slowed the rate of declining backlogs,” says Fiore.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, three reported growth in order backlogs in December: Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. The 10 industries reporting lower backlogs in December — in the following order — are: Textile Mills; Primary Metals; Printing & Related Support Activities; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Wood Products; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

Backlog of
Orders

%
Reporting

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2024

91

14.9

62.0

23.1

-8.2

45.9

Nov 2024

92

14.5

54.6

30.9

-16.4

41.8

Oct 2024

93

14.1

56.4

29.5

-15.4

42.3

Sep 2024

92

14.5

59.1

26.4

-11.9

44.1

New Export Orders†
ISM®’s New Export Orders Index registered an “unchanged” reading of 50 percent in December, up 1.3 percentage points from November’s reading of 48.7 percent. “The New Export Orders Index reading indicates that export orders were ‘unchanged’ from last month, following six straight months of contraction. New export orders stabilized this month as international trading partners are showing signs of demand recovery as we enter 2025,” says Fiore.

The four industries reporting growth in new export orders in December are: Plastics & Rubber Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The four industries reporting a decrease in new export orders in December are: Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; and Chemical Products. Eight industries reported no change in exports in December.

New Export
Orders

%
Reporting

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2024

74

10.9

78.2

10.9

0.0

50.0

Nov 2024

75

10.6

76.1

13.3

-2.7

48.7

Oct 2024

74

7.7

75.6

16.7

-9.0

45.5

Sep 2024

73

7.2

76.1

16.7

-9.5

45.3

Imports†
ISM®’s Imports Index continued to indicate cooling in December; the reading of 49.7 percent is 2.1 percentage points higher compared to the reading of 47.6 reported in November. “Imports contracted for the seventh month in a row after five consecutive months of expansion, preceded by 14 consecutive months of contraction. Imports moved closer to growth as inventory constraints weaken and panelists act to better absorb any potential tariff impact in the future,” says Fiore.

The seven industries reporting an increase in import volumes in December, in order, are: Wood Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Furniture & Related Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Computer & Electronic Products. The five industries that reported lower volumes of imports in December are: Paper Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; and Fabricated Metal Products.

Imports

%
Reporting

%Higher

%Same

%Lower

Net

Index

Dec 2024

85

12.8

73.8

13.4

-0.6

49.7

Nov 2024

83

10.2

74.8

15.0

-4.8

47.6

Oct 2024

84

11.7

73.1

15.2

-3.5

48.3

Sep 2024

82

10.2

76.2

13.6

-3.4

48.3

†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 December was 175 days, an increase of five days compared to November. Average lead time in December for Production Materials was 81 days, an increase of two days compared to November. Average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies was 46 days, an increase of two days compared to November.

Percent Reporting

Capital
Expenditures

Hand-to-
Mouth

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

6 Months

1 Year+

Average
Days

Dec 2024

14

5

8

15

30

28

175

Nov 2024

16

4

9

15

29

27

170

Oct 2024

16

5

12

12

28

27

168

Sep 2024

16

3

10

13

30

28

174

 

Percent Reporting

Production
Materials

Hand-to-
Mouth

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

6 Months

1 Year+

Average
Days

Dec 2024

7

25

28

27

8

5

81

Nov 2024

8

24

28

27

9

4

79

Oct 2024

9

25

26

26

9

5

81

Sep 2024

7

26

28

27

7

5

80

 

Percent Reporting

MRO Supplies

Hand-to-
Mouth

30 Days

60 Days

90 Days

6 Months

1 Year+

Average
Days

Dec 2024

30

35

16

13

5

1

46

Nov 2024

30

34

17

13

6

0

44

Oct 2024

30

34

18

12

5

1

46

Sep 2024

27

37

19

11

5

1

46

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 December 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 is 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 nine indicators (New Orders, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, Imports, Production, Supplier Deliveries, 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. For Customers’ Inventories, respondents report their assessment of their customers’ stock levels of respondent companies’ products this month (rather than last month): too high, about right, and too low. 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. For the Customers’ Inventories Index, numerically, a reading: above 50 percent is “too high,” equal to 50 percent is “about right,” and below 50 percent is “too low.” However, in practice and in the context of other data, customers’ inventories may be considered to be “about right” if the diffusion index is between 52 percent (the high side of about right) and 48 percent (the low side of about right).

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 manages 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 January 2025 data will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET on Monday, February 3, 2025.

*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

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/manufacturing-pmi-at-49-3-december-2024-manufacturing-ism-report-on-business-302341381.html

SOURCE Institute for Supply Management

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair Students Win Big at the 75th California Science and Engineering Fair

Published

on

By

SAN DIEGO, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 75th California Science and Engineering Fair (CSEF) took place April 11–12 at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, bringing together 900 of the best of 1st place winners from regional competitions covering 58 counties across the state, including the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF). GSDSEF students earned 40 awards at the event, including two of only six highly coveted spots to the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Seven students earned 1st Place awards in the categories of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Cognitive Science, Microbiology, Physics and Astronomy, and Zoology. In addition, one student won the Saban Family Foundation Scholar Prize, while another won the South Coast AQMD Air Quality Award and A&WMA Environmental Leadership Award. CSEF is the oldest science fair west of the Mississippi River and the highest level competition in the state.

Top winners were:

Arya Bhatt, Grade 7, Oak Valley Middle School, South Coast AQMD Air Quality Award, A&WMA Environmental Leadership Award, “Context Aware Real Time Air Quality Prediction Using Machine Learning”.

Joie Green, Grade 8, Muirlands Middle School, 1st Place, “Soon I will be Invisible: How to Direct Energy with Topological Metamaterials”.

Maggie Hao, Grade 10, The Bishop’s School, 1st Place, “Harnessing Tardigrade Genes to Enhance Bacterial Biosensors for Heavy Metal Pollutant Detection”.

Uma Kattamuri, Grade 7, Oak Valley Middle School, 1st Place, “Elevated CO2 During Kalanchoe pinnata Growth Reveals Enhanced Antiproliferative and Synergistic Therapies”.

Sonika Dhenuva Konda, Grade 11, Del Norte High School, Saban Family Foundation Scholar Prize, “Adaptive Swarm Coordination for Wildfire Control via Q-Learning Tuned PSO with Quantum-Inspired Coupling”.

Emma Liu, Grade 11, The Bishop’s School, ISEF Finalist, 1st Place, “Defining 3D Phenotypic Cell States of Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils via Novel Computational Pipeline”.

Sharvi Mahajan, Grade 8, Bernardo Heights Middle School, 1st Place, “Evaluating Predictive EEG Theta/Beta Features in Adult ADHD via Machine Learning”.

Sydney O’Donnell, Grade 8, The Rhoades School, 1st Place, TFJIC, “Effects of Marigold Versus Chlorella Supplementation on Yolk Lutein Content”.

Ihan Sung, Grade 11, Eastlake High School, ISEF Finalist, 1st Place, “Renewable Ammonia Electrochemical Synthesis by Glow Discharge with an Iron Based Catalyst”.

Full results and project showcase available online.

About the GSDSEF

Since 1955, the Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair (GSDSEF) has provided an inspiring experience in science and engineering for tens of thousands of San Diego and Imperial County students, motivating them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This regional competition challenges students to go beyond classroom studies to do independent research – to ask compelling questions, to design and implement innovative solutions, and to present and defend results to judges who are professionals in their fields. The GSDSEF brings together 800 of the best middle and high school students, 400+ judges who are professionals in their fields and over 60 professional societies and organizations, with $40k in prizes awarded.

The GSDSEF fosters creativity and innovation through inquiry, celebrates students’ STEM achievements, and showcases how young minds can make an impact in the present and future. Many of these student scientists are conducting world-class research and conducting groundbreaking experiments in fields ranging from Astronomy to Zoology, such as the discovery of cures for diseases, formulations of new vaccines, cancer research, applying AI to enhance medical diagnoses, using biomimicry for water conservation, novel drone technology, advances in micro robotics and autonomous driving technology. The GSDSEF is the highest-level STEM competition in the region and one of the oldest, most respected and competitive in the world. The GSDSEF is a 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at gsdsef.org and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Copyright © 2026 Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair. All rights reserved.

Media Contact:
Sany Zakharia
sany.zakharia@gsdsef.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/greater-san-diego-science-and-engineering-fair-students-win-big-at-the-75th-california-science-and-engineering-fair-302753744.html

SOURCE Greater San Diego Science and Engineering Fair

Continue Reading

Technology

Innowise Named to 2026 CRN Tech Elite 250 List By The Channel Company

Published

on

By

WARSAW, Poland, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Innowise has officially secured a position on CRN’s 2026 Tech Elite 250. This annual ranking identifies IT solution providers across the US and Canada that have achieved top-tier status within the partner programs of the industry’s leading technology vendors. The inclusion follows a period of verified growth in technical proficiency and a focus on high-impact engineering.

“Innowise concentrates on creating scalable, resilient architectures that produce measurable benefits for our clients. The honor of being recognized by CRN highlights the commitment of our experts to maintain high standards in highly competitive markets,” said Dmitry Nazarevich, CTO at Innowise.

About the Tech Elite 250

The Tech Elite 250 is a directory of companies recognized as having the highest level of partnership and certifications within the global IT ecosystem. In order to reach the final list, the provider must hold the most advanced technical credentials from vendors like AWS, Cisco, Dell, HPE, IBM, Intel, Nutanix, and Nvidia.

This directory serves as a verified ledger for enterprise clients who need to orchestrate complex hardware and software stacks without letting legacy environments rot. Holding these certifications is mandatory to stop the cash bleed caused by inefficient infrastructure and unoptimized cloud usage.

About Innowise

Founded in 2007, Innowise is a global software engineering and IT consulting center. The company is focused on developing high-value technologies, including artificial intelligence, data engineering, and cloud computing. Innowise crafts technological solutions for companies across 40+ domains in order to assist them in updating, creating, and modernizing their digital ecosystems.

Innowise specializes in using established technologies and modular approaches to enable organizations to expand or shift their operations while retaining complete control over all their physical and intangible assets.

Media Contact

Lizaveta Piaskova, Innowise, 48 48 787 027 706, lizaveta.piaskova@innowise.com, innowise.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/innowise-named-to-2026-crn-tech-elite-250-list-by-the-channel-company-302751951.html

SOURCE Innowise

Continue Reading

Technology

Neusoft Showcases Full-Stack & Global Innovations at Auto China 2026

Published

on

By

BEIJING, April 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At Auto China 2026, Neusoft Corporation hosted a press conference on April 25th and announced three key strategic moves: the iteration of Neusoft OneCoreGo® Global In-Vehicle Intelligent Mobility Solution 7.0, the launch of Neusoft NAGIC.AI Cockpit Software Platform, and the strategic upgrade of its subsidiary, Neusoft Smart Go. By leveraging full-stack technology and a global ecosystem to drive innovation and empowerment, Neusoft is transforming vehicles into proactive, connected and collaborative mobile intelligent spaces.

OneCoreGo® Global In-Vehicle Intelligent Mobility Solution 7.0: An Evolved AI Companion for Global Intelligent Mobility

Intelligent mobility requires proactive perception, scenario integration, and global connectivity to meet personalized user needs and complex driving scenarios. Neusoft, whose products cover over 130 countries and regions worldwide, addresses these challenges with its OneCoreGo® Global In-Vehicle Intelligent Mobility Solution 7.0 through AI-driven innovation and global ecosystem collaboration. Powered by One Mate’s cross-agent collaboration and a sub-product matrix including One Map, One Sight, One Cloud, One Pay, One Store, One Link, and One Guard, the solution delivers full-link global mobility services spanning navigation, in-cabin AR, payment, app ecosystem services, connectivity and security. By breaking down functional silos, it streamlines multi-step operations into a single “depart” command, leveraging full-stack AI technology across perception, decision-making, interaction, and execution processes.

Guan Xin, Vice President of Neusoft and General Manager of Neusoft Automotive Innovative Solutions Division, said, “Adhering to the core principles of AI and globalization, OneCoreGo® 7.0 keeps innovating, evolving into a globally intelligent mobility companion that truly understands user needs.”

To enhance driving safety and mobility efficiency, OneCoreGo® 7.0 has also comprehensively upgraded its sub-products: One Map Global Navigation newly introduces 3D city effects, 3D lane-level maps, and traffic light guidance, offering dedicated solutions for two-wheelers and commercial vehicles as well. One Sight AR For Car improves navigation display effects, reducing instances of taking wrong routes. One Pay In-Vehicle Payment achieves over 90% payment coverage for parking services across core European cities. Combined with One Cloud’s global compliance cloud monitoring platform and One Guard’s full-stack vehicle networking security services, it creates a truly comprehensive OneCoreGo® Global In-Vehicle Intelligent Mobility Solution.

Neusoft NAGIC.AI Cockpit Software Platform: Dual-track Architecture for AI Integration in Every Vehicle

Amid the AI-driven transformation of the automotive industry, the market faces two challenges: limited computing power in legacy vehicles and high adaptation difficulties for next-gen models. Neusoft’s NAGIC.AI Cockpit Software Platform adopts a flexible “distributed + centralized” dual-track architecture approach. For existing vehicle models, it introduces the AI BOX solution, rapidly boosting computing power via external AI computing units, significantly reducing upgrade costs and timelines. For new vehicle models built on next-gen central computing platforms, Neusoft provides a full-stack AI cockpit software product suite, meeting automakers’ stringent requirements for system stability, reliability, and full-domain control.

Pang Hongyan, Vice President of Neusoft and General Manager of the Automotive Intelligent Software Division, said, “Our dual-track architecture enables every vehicle to embrace AI and enjoy an intelligent future. Both existing models and new-generation vehicles can find the most suitable path to intelligentization.”

Moreover, Neusoft’s NAGIC.AI Cockpit Software Platform features scenario-based, human-centric AI Agents seamlessly integrating driving safety, occupant care services, intelligent assisted driving and in-cabin entertainment. Neusoft also collaborates with global ecosystem partners to drive intelligent upgrades of in-cabin interaction products, fostering a more open and dynamic intelligent cockpit ecosystem.

Strategic Upgrade of Neusoft Smart Go: A World-leading Provider of Full-Domain Upper-Body Electronics Solutions for Intelligent Vehicles

Aligning with the trend of E/E architecture evolution from distributed control to “central computing + zonal control”, Neusoft Smart Go, a subsidiary of Neusoft in the field of intelligent vehicle connectivity, has completed a strategic upgrade, aiming to become a global leader in full-domain upper-body electronics solutions for intelligent vehicles.

This strategic upgrade positions Neusoft Smart Go to focus on full-domain scenarios in upper-body electronics, building a product matrix covering full-category in-vehicle electronics solutions, including central computing platforms, cockpit-driving-parking integration, intelligent cockpits, intelligent communications, intelligent audio systems, and zonal control units, and pioneering the integration of large model algorithms.

Jian Guodong, Senior Vice President of Neusoft and CEO of Neusoft Smart Go, said, “This strategic upgrade represents a significant leap from partial focus to comprehensive layout. Through our dual-track strategy of high-end cutting-edge solutions and mature standardized products, we can flexibly meet the mass production needs of vehicle models across different regions and price segments worldwide.” Neusoft Smart Go will provide mass-producible, adaptable hardware-software integrated solutions, empowering global automakers in achieving intelligent transformation.

Neusoft’s President, Mr.Gai Longjia stated, “In the future, Neusoft Smart Go will create stronger synergy with Neusoft Corporation by sharing internal technologies and capabilities while responding jointly to external demands. This specialized yet collaborative model will preserve business unit’s agility and expertise while enhancing Neusoft’s full-stack technological advantages.”

As a trusted partner in a smarter world, Neusoft is committed to collaborating with global automakers and ecosystem partners to build an open and inclusive intelligent automotive community together for the future of global mobility.

For more information about Neusoft, please visit www.neusoft.com.

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/neusoft-showcases-full-stack–global-innovations-at-auto-china-2026-302753701.html

SOURCE Neusoft Corporation

Continue Reading

Trending