TEMPE, Ariz. — January 5, 2021 — Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in December, with the overall economy notching an eighth consecutive month of growth, 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 December Manufacturing PMI® registered 60.7 percent, up 3.2 percentage points from the November reading of 57.5 percent. This figure indicates expansion in the overall economy for the eighth month in a row after contracting in March, April, and May, which ended a period of 131 consecutive months of growth. The New Orders Index registered 67.9 percent, up 2.8 percentage points from the November reading of 65.1 percent. The Production Index registered 64.8 percent, an increase of 4 percentage points compared to the November reading of 60.8 percent. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 59.1 percent, 2.2 percentage points higher compared to the November reading of 56.9 percent. The Employment Index returned to expansion territory at 51.5 percent, 3.1 percentage points higher from the November reading of 48.4 percent. The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 67.6 percent, up 5.9 percentage points from the November figure of 61.7 percent. The Inventories Index registered 51.6 percent, 0.4 percentage point higher than the November reading of 51.2 percent. The Prices Index registered 77.6 percent, up 12.2 percentage points compared to the November reading of 65.4 percent. The New Export Orders Index registered 57.5 percent, a decrease of 0.3 percentage point compared to the November reading of 57.8 percent. The Imports Index registered 54.6 percent, a 0.5-percentage point decrease from the November reading of 55.1 percent.”
Fiore continues, “The manufacturing economy continued its recovery in December. Survey Committee members reported that their companies and suppliers continue to operate in reconfigured factories, but absenteeism, short-term shutdowns to sanitize facilities and difficulties in returning and hiring workers are causing strains that are limiting manufacturing growth potential. However, panel sentiment remains optimistic (three positive comments for every cautious comment), an improvement compared to November. Demand expanded, with the (1) New Orders Index growing at a strong level, supported by the New Export Orders Index expanding, (2) Customers’ Inventories Index remaining in ‘too low’ territory and at a level considered a positive for future production, and the (3) Backlog of Orders Index achieving a 2½-year high. Consumption (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) contributed positively (a combined 7.1-percentage point increase) to the Manufacturing PMI® calculation. The Production Index hit a 10-year high, as the last reading above 64.8 percent was in January 2011 (65.3 percent), with five of the top six industries reporting moderate to strong expansion. The Employment Index moved into expansion after a single month of contraction, due to the inability to attract and retain direct labor. Inputs — expressed as supplier deliveries, inventories and imports — continued to indicate input-driven constraints to production expansion, at higher rates compared to November, as indicated by minimal gains in inventory levels and difficulties in expanding imports. Supply chains continue to struggle compared to November, contributing moderately to the Manufacturing PMI® calculation. (The Supplier Deliveries and Inventories indexes directly factor into the Manufacturing PMI®; the Imports Index does not.) The Prices Index jumped dramatically in December, to a level last reached in the summer of 2018, the peak of the last manufacturing expansion cycle.
“All six of the biggest manufacturing industries — Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products — registered moderate to strong growth in December.
“Manufacturing performed well for the seventh straight month, with demand, consumption and inputs registering strong growth compared to November. Labor market difficulties at panelists’ companies and their suppliers will continue to restrict the manufacturing economy expansion until the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis ends,” says Fiore.
Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 16 reported growth in December, in the following order: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Furniture & Related Products; Wood Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Chemical Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Primary Metals; Textile Mills; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The two industries reporting contraction in December are: Printing & Related Support Activities; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products.
WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING
“Our company and industry are continuing to have tailwinds from the COVID-19 pandemic research support for vaccines and treatments. While our services are delayed, many customers are not cancelling outright, and business picked up for us in the last month — especially in China, where business growth is back on track.” (Computer & Electronic Products)
“Continued to survive COVID-19 shutdowns, customer restrictions and personnel issues (work from home and COVID-19 outbreaks) and managed to maintain slight growth over 2019.” (Chemical Products)
“COVID-19 outbreaks are causing supply chain issues for Tier-1 and Tier-2 suppliers. More work needs to ensure suppliers keep us in the loop with any problem in their supply chain. But end-customer demand for products is keeping production and future outlook positive.” (Transportation Equipment)
“COVID-19 is affecting us more strongly now than back in March. Vendors/service suppliers unable to maintain levels of service due to employee shortages. Logistic issues also hurting us due to coronavirus-related problems.” (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)
“Current business outlook is strong through the first quarter of 2021. We are anticipating 20 percent growth in sales for 2021.” (Fabricated Metal Products)
“Sales are now slightly above pre-COVID-19 sales.” (Machinery)
“Sales are now exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels, but uncertainty remains through the winter months while COVID-19 is still rampant.” (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)
“Business is stronger than expected, with higher demand for many products. Volatility continues due to the very persistent pandemic and associated risks.” (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)
“Suppliers are having difficulty finding and retaining labor leading to supply constraints.” (Plastics & Rubber Products)
“Fourth-quarter production improved more than anticipated, both against the rolling forecast and compared to typical Q4 business.” (Primary Metals)
| MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE
December 2020 |
||||||
| Index | Series Index
Dec |
Series Index
Nov |
Percentage
Point Change |
Direction | Rate of Change | Trend* (Months) |
| Manufacturing PMI® | 60.7 | 57.5 | +3.2 | Growing | Faster | 7 |
| New Orders | 67.9 | 65.1 | +2.8 | Growing | Faster | 7 |
| Production | 64.8 | 60.8 | +4.0 | Growing | Faster | 7 |
| Employment | 51.5 | 48.4 | +3.1 | Growing | From Contracting | 1 |
| Supplier Deliveries | 67.6 | 61.7 | +5.9 | Slowing | Faster | 14 |
| Inventories | 51.6 | 51.2 | +0.4 | Growing | Faster | 3 |
| Customers’ Inventories | 37.9 | 36.3 | +1.6 | Too Low | Slower | 51 |
| Prices | 77.6 | 65.4 | +12.2 | Increasing | Faster | 7 |
| Backlog of Orders | 59.1 | 56.9 | +2.2 | Growing | Faster | 6 |
| New Export Orders | 57.5 | 57.8 | -0.3 | Growing | Slower | 6 |
| Imports | 54.6 | 55.1 | -0.5 | Growing | Slower | 6 |
| OVERALL ECONOMY | Growing | Faster | 8 | |||
| Manufacturing Sector | Growing | Faster | 7 | |||
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 (7); Aluminum Products (3); Brass Products (2); Copper (7); Corrugate (3); Corrugate Boxes (2); Crude Oil; Electrical Components; Electronic Components; Freight (2); Isocyanates; Labor — Temporary; Linerboard; Lumber (6); Ocean Freight; Oil-Base Lubricants; Packaging Supplies; Paper Products; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — Gloves; Phosphates; Plastic Resins (4); Polyethylene Resins (3); Polyurethane; Polypropylene (6); Polyvinyl Chloride (3); Solvents; Soybean Products (3); Steel (5); Steel — High Carbon; Steel — Cold Rolled (4); Steel — Hot Rolled (4); Steel Products (4); Steel — Scrap; Steel — Stainless (2); and Wood — Pallets.
Commodities Down in Price – None.
Commodities in Short Supply Aluminum; Aluminum Cans; Corrugate Boxes (2); Electrical Components (3); Electronic Components; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — Gloves (10); PPE — Masks (2); Semiconductors; Steel; Steel — Galvanized; and Steel — Hot Rolled (2).
Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.
DECEMBER 2020 MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES
Manufacturing PMI®
Manufacturing grew in December, as the Manufacturing PMI® registered 60.7 percent, 3.2 percentage points higher than the November reading of 57.5 percent. “The Manufacturing PMI® signaled a continued rebuilding of economic activity in December, with four of five contributing subindexes in strong growth territory. All six of the biggest manufacturing industries — Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products — expanded. The New Orders and Production indexes continued to expand strongly. The Supplier Deliveries Index continued to reflect suppliers’ difficulties in maintaining delivery rates, due to factory labor-safety issues and transportation challenges. All 10 subindexes were positive for the period; a reading of ‘too low’ for Customers’ Inventories is considered a positive for future production,” says Fiore. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.
A Manufacturing PMI® above 42.8 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the December Manufacturing PMI® indicates the overall economy grew in December for the eighth consecutive month following contractions in March, April, and May. “The past relationship between the Manufacturing PMI® and the overall economy indicates that the Manufacturing PMI® for December (60.7 percent) corresponds to a 5.2-percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis,” says Fiore.
THE LAST 12 MONTHS
| Month | Manufacturing PMI® | Month | Manufacturing PMI® | |
| Dec 2020 | 60.7 | Jun 2020 | 52.6 | |
| Nov 2020 | 57.5 | May 2020 | 43.1 | |
| Oct 2020 | 59.3 | Apr 2020 | 41.5 | |
| Sep 2020 | 55.4 | Mar 2020 | 49.1 | |
| Aug 2020 | 56.0 | Feb 2020 | 50.1 | |
| Jul 2020 | 54.2 | Jan 2020 | 50.9 | |
| Average for 12 months – 52.5
High – 60.7 Low – 41.5 |
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New Orders
ISM®’s New Orders Index registered 67.9 percent in December, an increase of 2.8 percentage points compared to the 65.1 percent reported in November. This indicates that new orders grew for the seventh consecutive month and the sixth consecutive month above 60 percent. “All six of the largest manufacturing sectors — Petroleum & Coal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products — expanded,” says Fiore. A New Orders Index above 52.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau’s series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).
Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the 13 that reported growth in new orders in December — in the following order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Chemical Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The three industries reporting a decline in new orders in December are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Textile Mills; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.
| New Orders | %Higher | %Same | %Lower | Net | Index |
| Dec 2020 | 40.3 | 45.1 | 14.6 | +25.7 | 67.9 |
| Nov 2020 | 35.9 | 50.1 | 14.0 | +21.9 | 65.1 |
| Oct 2020 | 40.3 | 49.2 | 10.5 | +29.8 | 67.9 |
| Sep 2020 | 35.2 | 45.9 | 18.9 | +16.3 | 60.2 |
Production
The Production Index registered 64.8 percent in December, 4 percentage points above the November reading of 60.8 percent, indicating growth for the seventh consecutive month and the sixth straight month above 60 percent. This is the highest reading since January 2011, when the index registered 65.3 percent. “Five (Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; and Chemical Products) of the top six industries expanded moderately to strongly,” says Fiore. An index above 51.7 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board’s Industrial Production figures.
The 13 industries reporting growth in production during the month of December — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Wood Products; Furniture & Related Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Primary Metals; Computer & Electronic Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Chemical Products. The two industries reporting decreased production in December are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.
| Production | %Higher | %Same | %Lower | Net | Index |
| Dec 2020 | 32.3 | 54.6 | 13.1 | +19.2 | 64.8 |
| Nov 2020 | 33.7 | 52.0 | 14.3 | +19.4 | 60.8 |
| Oct 2020 | 37.4 | 51.0 | 11.7 | +25.7 | 63.0 |
| Sep 2020 | 34.3 | 50.9 | 14.8 | +19.5 | 61.0 |
Employment
ISM®’s Employment Index registered 51.5 percent in December, 3.1 percentage points higher than the November reading of 48.4 percent. “Following one month of contraction, the Employment Index moved back into expansion territory. The December figure is 24 percentage points above the index’s low of 27.5 percent registered in April. Only three (Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Chemical Products) of the six big industry sectors expanded. Continued strong new-order levels and an expanding backlog indicate potential employment strength for the first quarter of 2021. For the fourth straight month, survey panelists’ comments indicate that significantly more companies are hiring or attempting to hire than those reducing labor forces,” says Fiore. An Employment Index above 50.8 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment.
Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the eight industries to report employment growth in December — in the following order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Furniture & Related Products; Primary Metals; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; and Machinery. The five industries reporting a decrease in employment in December are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Petroleum & Coal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components.
| Employment | %Higher | %Same | %Lower | Net | Index |
| Dec 2020 | 14.9 | 68.8 | 16.3 | -1.4 | 51.5 |
| Nov 2020 | 14.8 | 66.4 | 18.9 | -4.1 | 48.4 |
| Oct 2020 | 23.1 | 59.3 | 17.7 | +5.4 | 53.2 |
| Sep 2020 | 19.4 | 58.9 | 21.7 | -2.3 | 49.6 |
Supplier Deliveries†
The delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was slower in December, as the Supplier Deliveries Index registered 67.6 percent. This is 5.9 percentage points higher than the 61.7 percent reported in November. “Suppliers continue to struggle to deliver, with deliveries slowing at a faster rate compared to November. Transportation challenges and challenges in supplier-labor markets are still constraining production growth — and to a greater extent compared to the previous month. The Supplier Deliveries Index reflects the difficulties suppliers continue to experience due to COVID-19 impacts. Supplier labor and transportation constraints are not expected to diminish in the near-to-moderate term due to COVID-19,” says Fiore. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.
Sixteen industries reported slower supplier deliveries in December, listed in the following order: Fabricated Metal Products; Paper Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Furniture & Related Products; Textile Mills; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Wood Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Primary Metals. No industries reported faster supplier deliveries in December.
| Supplier Deliveries | %Slower | %Same | %Faster | Net | Index |
| Dec 2020 | 39.5 | 56.3 | 4.2 | +35.3 | 67.6 |
| Nov 2020 | 27.5 | 68.4 | 4.1 | +23.4 | 61.7 |
| Oct 2020 | 24.7 | 71.5 | 3.8 | +20.9 | 60.5 |
| Sep 2020 | 24.0 | 70.0 | 6.1 | +17.9 | 59.0 |
Inventories
The Inventories Index registered 51.6 percent in December, 0.4 percentage point higher than the 51.2 percent reported for November. Inventories grew for a third consecutive month after three months of contraction. “Inventory growth stability in light of ongoing supplier constraints indicates that supply chains are meeting near-term production demand, in spite of transportation and COVID-19 headwinds,” says Fiore. An Inventories Index greater than 44.3 percent, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars).
The eight industries reporting higher inventories in December — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Textile Mills; Paper Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Transportation Equipment. The seven industries reporting a decrease in inventories in December — listed in order — are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Primary Metals; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Computer & Electronic Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products.
| Inventories | %Higher | %Same | %Lower | Net | Index |
| Dec 2020 | 22.1 | 53.5 | 24.4 | -2.3 | 51.6 |
| Nov 2020 | 18.1 | 62.4 | 19.4 | -1.3 | 51.2 |
| Oct 2020 | 21.3 | 59.9 | 18.8 | +2.5 | 51.9 |
| Sep 2020 | 16.9 | 61.6 | 21.5 | -4.6 | 47.1 |
Customers’ Inventories†
ISM®’s Customers’ Inventories Index registered 37.9 percent in December, 1.6 percentage points higher than the 36.3 percent reported for November, indicating that customers’ inventory levels were considered too low. “Customers’ inventories are too low for the 51st consecutive month, a positive for future production growth. For five months in a row, the index has been at its lowest levels in more than a decade (a reading of 35.8 percent in June 2010). However, the drop into ‘too low’ territory slowed in December,” says Fiore.
Of the 18 industries, the only one reporting higher customers’ inventories in December is Printing & Related Support Activities. The 14 industries reporting customers’ inventories as too low during December — listed in order — are: Wood Products; Primary Metals; Textile Mills; Plastics & Rubber Products; Furniture & Related Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products.
| Customers’ Inventories | % Reporting | %Too High | %About Right | %Too Low | Net | Index |
| Dec 2020 | 75 | 7.2 | 61.4 | 31.4 | -24.2 | 37.9 |
| Nov 2020 | 78 | 6.7 | 59.3 | 34.0 | -27.3 | 36.3 |
| Oct 2020 | 77 | 6.8 | 59.7 | 33.5 | -26.7 | 36.7 |
| Sep 2020 | 76 | 10.2 | 55.4 | 34.5 | -24.3 | 37.9 |
Prices†
The ISM® Prices Index registered 77.6 percent, an increase of 12.2 percentage points compared to the November reading of 65.4 percent, indicating raw materials prices increased for the seventh consecutive month. The index achieved its highest reading since May 2018, when it registered 79.5 points. “Aluminum, copper, steel, petroleum-based products including plastics, transportation costs, electronic components, corrugate, temporary labor, wood and lumber products all continued to record price increases,” says Fiore. A Prices Index above 52.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials.
All 18 industries reported paying increased prices for raw materials in December, in the following order: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Wood Products; Paper Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Furniture & Related Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Machinery; Printing & Related Support Activities; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Computer & Electronic Products; and Textile Mills.
| Prices | %Higher | %Same | %Lower | Net | Index |
| Dec 2020 | 57.8 | 39.7 | 2.6 | +55.2 | 77.6 |
| Nov 2020 | 36.7 | 57.3 | 6.0 | +30.7 | 65.4 |
| Oct 2020 | 35.4 | 60.1 | 4.5 | +30.9 | 65.5 |
| Sep 2020 | 32.3 | 60.9 | 6.8 | +25.5 | 62.8 |
Backlog of Orders†
ISM®’s Backlog of Orders Index registered 59.1 percent in December, a 2.2-percentage point increase compared to the 56.9 percent reported in November, indicating order backlogs expanded for the sixth consecutive month. “Backlogs expanded at faster rates in December, indicating that new-order intakes more than fully offset production outputs. Four (Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; and Computer & Electronic Products) of the six big industry sectors’ backlogs expanded with significant strength. Backlogs achieved their highest expansion levels since June 2018, when the index registered 60.1 percent,” says Fiore.
The 12 industries reporting growth in order backlogs in December, in the following order, are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Wood Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; Furniture & Related Products; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Plastics & Rubber Products. In December, three industries reported lower backlogs: Paper Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.
| Backlog of Orders | % Reporting | %Higher | %Same | %Lower | Net | Index |
| Dec 2020 | 90 | 31.4 | 55.4 | 13.2 | +18.2 | 59.1 |
| Nov 2020 | 89 | 28.9 | 56.1 | 15.0 | +13.9 | 56.9 |
| Oct 2020 | 91 | 27.1 | 57.2 | 15.7 | +11.4 | 55.7 |
| Sep 2020 | 87 | 26.1 | 58.3 | 15.7 | +10.4 | 55.2 |
New Export Orders†
ISM®’s New Export Orders Index registered 57.5 percent in December, a decrease of 0.3 percentage point compared to the November reading of 57.8 percent. “The New Export Orders Index grew for the sixth consecutive month, but at a slightly slower rate. Five (Fabricated Metal Products; Chemical Products; Computer and Electronic Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Transportation Equipment) of the six big industry sectors expanded with strength. New export orders were again a positive factor to the growth in new-order levels,” says Fiore.
The nine industries reporting growth in new export orders in December — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; Fabricated Metal Products; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Primary Metals; and Transportation Equipment. Two industries reported a decrease in new export orders: Plastics & Rubber Products; and Paper Products. Six industries reported no change in exports in December.
| New Export Orders | % Reporting | %Higher | %Same | %Lower | Net | Index |
| Dec 2020 | 72 | 20.1 | 74.8 | 5.1 | +15.0 | 57.5 |
| Nov 2020 | 73 | 22.3 | 70.9 | 6.8 | +15.5 | 57.8 |
| Oct 2020 | 76 | 18.5 | 74.5 | 7.0 | +11.5 | 55.7 |
| Sep 2020 | 72 | 19.7 | 69.2 | 11.1 | +8.6 | 54.3 |
Imports†
ISM®’s Imports Index registered 54.6 percent in December, a decline of 0.5 percentage point compared to the 55.1 percent reported for November. “Imports expanded for the sixth consecutive month, at a slightly slower rate, reflecting continued increases in U.S. factory demand. Panelists continued to note record breaking backlogs in ports of entry, as well as difficulty in arranging drayage and operating within the domestic transportation market,” says Fiore.
The 12 industries reporting growth in imports in December — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Paper Products; Transportation Equipment; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; Primary Metals; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Plastics & Rubber Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Chemical Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. Four industries reported a decrease in imports in December: Textile Mills; Furniture & Related Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Fabricated Metal Products.
| Imports | % Reporting | %Higher | %Same | %Lower | Net | Index |
| Dec 2020 | 85 | 19.2 | 70.8 | 10.0 | +9.2 | 54.6 |
| Nov 2020 | 85 | 17.1 | 76.0 | 6.9 | +10.2 | 55.1 |
| Oct 2020 | 87 | 20.7 | 74.8 | 4.5 | +16.2 | 58.1 |
| Sep 2020 | 86 | 17.1 | 73.9 | 9.0 | +8.1 | 54.0 |
†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
Average commitment lead time for Capital Expenditures decreased in December by eight days to 132 days. Average lead time for Production Materials increased in December by two days to 69 days. Average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies decreased in December by three days to 37 days.
| Percent Reporting | |||||||||
| Capital Expenditures | Hand-to- Mouth | 30 Days | 60 Days | 90 Days | 6 Months | 1 Year+ | Average Days | ||
| Dec 2020 | 24 | 5 | 10 | 17 | 28 | 16 | 132 | ||
| Nov 2020 | 22 | 6 | 10 | 16 | 27 | 19 | 140 | ||
| Oct 2020 | 23 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 29 | 18 | 140 | ||
| Sep 2020 | 25 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 27 | 18 | 135 | ||
| Percent Reporting | |||||||||
| Production Materials | Hand-to- Mouth | 30 Days | 60 Days | 90 Days | 6 Months | 1 Year+ | Average Days | ||
| Dec 2020 | 9 | 33 | 27 | 21 | 7 | 3 | 69 | ||
| Nov 2020 | 10 | 35 | 24 | 22 | 6 | 3 | 67 | ||
| Oct 2020 | 10 | 38 | 25 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 62 | ||
| Sep 2020 | 10 | 36 | 27 | 18 | 7 | 2 | 64 | ||
| Percent Reporting | |||||||||
| MRO Supplies | Hand-to- Mouth | 30 Days | 60 Days | 90 Days | 6 Months | 1 Year+ | Average Days | ||
| Dec 2020 | 32 | 37 | 17 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 37 | ||
| Nov 2020 | 34 | 36 | 16 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 40 | ||
| Oct 2020 | 34 | 39 | 17 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 34 | ||
| Sep 2020 | 35 | 39 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 35 | ||
Posted January 5, 2020
Source: Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®)
