Manufacturing expanded in July, according to the latest Manufacturing ISM report on business. The Purchasing Managers Index was at 55.5, compared with 56.2 in June.
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According to the report, manufacturing continued to grow during July, but at a slightly slower rate than in June. Employment, supplier deliveries and inventories improved during the month and reduced the impact of a month-over-month deceleration in new orders and production.
July marks 12 consecutive months of growth in manufacturing, and indications are that demand is still strong in 10 of 18 industries. The prices that manufacturers paid for their inputs were slightly higher but stable, with only a few items on the short supply list.
Ten of the 18 manufacturing industries are reporting growth in July, in the following order: Plastics & Rubber Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Paper Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Primary Metals; Textile Mills; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Chemical Products. The four industries reporting contraction in July are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture & Related Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Machinery.
Respondents said:
- "Business in July was strong, the best month since October 2008." (Fabricated Metal Products)
- "Slow economy has killed sales for new equipment orders." (Machinery)
- "Quoting activity and sales are slow, and backlog is dropping." (Computer & Electronic Products)
- "Business continues to be sluggish and has fallen slightly as the economic ills continue." (Nonmetallic Mineral Products)
- "Retailers are still unwilling to gamble on inventory." (Printing & Related Support Activities)
