January 2014 Manufacturing ISM Report On Business – PMI At 51.3%

February 3, 2014

New Orders, Production and Employment Growing; Inventories Contracting; Supplier Deliveries Slowing

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in January for the eighth consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 56th consecutive month, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.  The report was issued today by Bradley J. Holcomb, CPSM, CPSD, chair of the Institute for Supply Management Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

Manufacturing expanded in January as the PMI registered 51.3 percent, a decrease of 5.2 percentage points when compared to December’s seasonally adjusted reading of 56.5 percent.  A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting. 

A PMI in excess of 43.2 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy.  Therefore, the January PMI indicates growth for the 56th consecutive month in the overall economy, and indicates expansion in the manufacturing sector for the eighth consecutive month.  Holcomb stated, “The past relationship between the PMI and the overall economy indicates that the PMI for January (51.3 percent) corresponds to a 2.7 percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis.”

A number of comments from the panel cite adverse weather conditions as a factor negatively impacting their businesses in January, while others reflect optimism and increasing volumes in the early stages of 2014.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 11 are reporting growth in January.

Source:  Institute For Supply Management