Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in August, and the overall economy grew for the 99th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®.

The report was issued by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee: "The August PMI® registered 58.8 percent, an increase of 2.5 percentage points from the July reading of 56.3 percent. The New Orders Index registered 60.3 percent, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the July reading of 60.4 percent. The Production Index registered 61 percent, a 0.4 percentage point increase compared to the July reading of 60.6 percent. The Employment Index registered 59.9 percent, an increase of 4.7 percentage points from the July reading of 55.2 percent. The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 57.1 percent, a 1.7 percentage point increase from the July reading of 55.4 percent. The Inventories Index registered 55.5 percent, an increase of 5.5 percentage points from the July reading of 50 percent. The Prices Index registered 62 percent in August, the same reading as July, indicating higher raw materials’ prices for the 18th consecutive month. Comments from the panel reflect expanding business conditions, with new orders, production, employment, backlog and exports all growing in August, as well as supplier deliveries slowing (improving) and inventories increasing during the period. The Customers’ Inventories Index experienced a sharp decline in August compared to July."

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 14 reported growth in August, in the following order:

• Textile Mills
• Petroleum & Coal Products
• Machinery
• Transportation Equipment
• Fabricated Metal Products
• Computer & Electronic Products
• Paper Products
• Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components
• Miscellaneous Manufacturing 
• Chemical Products
• Nonmetallic Mineral Products 
• Plastics & Rubber Products
• Printing & Related Support Activities
• Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products

Three industries reported contraction in August compared to July:

• Apparel, Leather & Allied Products
• Primary Metals 
• Furniture & Related Products

To read the full report, click here.