Growth accelerated for manufacturers but not for distributors in June, according to the July Economic Indicator Report from the Industrial Supply Association. The ISA Distributor Index decreased to 60.4 in June from 66.9 in May, while the Manufacturer Index increased to 59.1 from 56.8.
"While the Manufacturer Index and the Distributor Index moved in opposite directions during the month, the good news is that growth continues for suppliers and distributors," said Bryon Shafer, general manager of ASG Industrial and chair of ISA’s Strategic Information Committee. "Despite some fluctuation during the year, the first six months of 2016 have demonstrated that the economy continues to expand."
For each index, a reading above 50 percent indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 percent indicates contraction.