ISM’s Production Index registered 32.1 percent in January, which is an increase of 5.8 percentage points from December’s seasonally adjusted reading of 26.3 percent. An index above 50.4 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board’s Industrial Production figures.
Three industries reported growth in production during the month of January: Textile Mills; Petroleum & Coal Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The industries failing to grow in January are: Primary Metals; Paper Products; Transportation Equipment; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Machinery; Furniture & Related Products; Chemical Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; and Wood Products.
Production | %Better | %Same | %Worse | Net | Index | |||||||||||||||||||||
Jan 2009 | 13 | 33 | 54 | -41 | 32.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Dec 2008 | 7 | 33 | 60 | -53 | 26.3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Nov 2008 | 12 | 38 | 50 | -38 | 32.0 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Oct 2008 | 11 | 43 | 46 | -35 | 33.6 |