HI-TRANSFER

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity pulled back in February with assessments of most measures cooled.

At 52.4 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined a notable 3.14% since January remaining 14.66% below the level seen a year earlier.

Respondents indicated that while there is still some concern over the strength of the recovery and rising commodity prices, outlook was overall positive going forward:

"Business is holding steady. Concern over commodity prices ongoing." (Chemical Products)

"Still somewhat cautious about recovery. Expecting a good year, but not seeing orders yet." (Machinery)

"Demand remains consistent to strong on all levels." (Paper Products)

"Demand from auto makers is getting stronger." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Manufacturing is busy. Spending money on new equipment to accommodate customer demands. Material prices are staying in check." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"There seems to be a much more positive outlook for the economy. Customers are ordering material for stock rather than just working hand-to-mouth." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Global GDP softening and beginning to impact the demand chain." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Production is busy — several new large projects." (Primary Metals)

"Customers [are] lowering inventory levels, anticipating price decrease due to third-party published reports on materials." (Plastics & Metal Products)

"We are optimistic about the U.S. market this year, a little hesitant about what may happen in Europe and unsure about China." (Transportation Equipment)

"Shipments are increasing over last year. Waiting to see if the trend continues." (Wood Products)

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity improved in January with assessments of most measures increasing.

At 54.1 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) increased 1.88% since December but remained 11.02% below the level seen a year earlier.

Respondents indicated that prices are generally stable and show an overall positive outlook for 2012:

"Still seeing raw materials pricing moving down in general, but expect inflation later in the quarter." (Chemical Products)

"Year starting a little slow, but customers are positive about increased business in 2012." (Machinery)
"Once again, business continues to be strong." (Paper Products)

"Pricing remains in check with the demand we are seeing. Supplier deliveries are on time or early." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"The economy seems to be slowly improving." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Business lost to offshore is coming back." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Business remains strong. Order intake is great — more than 20 percent above budget." (Primary Metals)

"Indications are that 2012 business environment will improve over 2011." (Transportation Equipment)

"Market conditions appear to be improving, with the outlook for 2012 better yet." (Wood Products

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that manufacturing activity improved in December with assessments of most measures increasing.

At 53.9 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) increased 2.28% since November but remained 7.86% below the level seen a year earlier.

Respondents indicated mixed assessments with some suggesting strong demand while others see activity slowing:

"Slow Q4 — lots of destocking and inventory reduction going on." (Chemical Products)

"Business seems strong, but likely due to tax advantages of purchasing capital expense items." (Machinery)

"Our business is stable with a very good outlook for 2012." (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)

"Food prices seem to have peaked as demand is starting to wane." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"All auto demand remains strong." (Fabricated Metal Products)

"Continued conservative hiring, with tight discretionary spending controls due to slower growth expectations for 2012, driven by Euro zone sovereign debt concerns and lack of viable U.S. legislative process through the 2012 election." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Business beginning to slow down (seasonal), but will finish with a very strong year." (Plastics & Rubber Products)

"Business is steady today around the world." (Transportation Equipment)

"Market has definitely slowed in the last month, and is expected to remain so this month." (Wood Products)

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that economic activity continued to weaken in October with assessments of many measures slowing.

At 50.8 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined 1.55% since September sliding 10.72% below the level seen a year earlier.

Some respondents indicated sluggish domestic sales, uncertain prices, slowing trends and headwinds coming from customers unwillingness to commit to purchases:

"Starting to see some deflation on raw materials." (Chemical Products)

"Overall industry volumes remain flat vs. previous month. Uncertainty in supply chain is increasing due to lower volumes vs. historical." (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)

"International: contraction in demand for our products is driving mitigation of excess material on order. Contract manufacturers are adjusting their resources accordingly." (Machinery)

"Business is slowing — not crashing — but uncertainty and caution is the order of the day." (Plastics & Rubber Products)

"Retail branded business is slower than expected due to consumers continuing to move to private label- and store-brand products for price advantage. Raw material supplies are in good shape, but prices are staying stubbornly higher than expected." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that economic activity continued to weaken in July with assessments of most measures slowing.

At 50.9 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined a whopping 7.96% since June and slid 7.62% below the level seen a year earlier.

Some respondents indicated sluggish domestic sales, slowing trends and hesitation coming as a result of the debt ceiling debate:

"Market conditions — Europe weak, U.S. soft, Asia strong." (Computer & Electronic Products)

"Export sales very strong, while domestic sales are sluggish." (Paper Products)

"The looming debt ceiling has government agencies backing away from spending. Forecasting a slowdown in demand in the short term." (Transportation Equipment)

"Generally seeing a slowdown, which is typical this time of year. Hopeful that this is seasonal only." (Plastics & Rubber Products)

"Most industrial customers seem to be sustaining their business. Export orders continue to remain strong. Price pressures persist, especially with commodity materials." (Chemical Products)

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that economic activity continued to expand in May though at a sharply slower pace than in April and suggested that all measures saw a slowdown.

At 53.5 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined a whopping 11.42% since April and declined 7.44% below the level seen a year earlier.

Some respondents indicated increasing pressure on prices as higher energy prices stocked inflationary forces as well as poor results coming from bad weather:

"Chemical prices are under increasing cost pressure, driven by feedstock and transportation costs." (Chemical Products)

"Demand remains strong; however, inflation is evident everywhere in virtually every material purchased." (Paper Products)

"Bad weather is impacting retail business." (Printing & Related Support Activities)

"Business is still strong, but we are more aware of a possible softening than previously." (Machinery)

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Report on Business for the manufacturing sector indicating that economic activity continued to expand in April though at a slightly slower pace than in March and an indication that most measures are in expansion.

At 60.4 the purchasing manager’s composite index (PMI) declined 1.31% since March but remained 1.34% above the level seen a year earlier and still sits very near the highest level seen in over 25 years.

Some respondents indicated increasing pressure on prices as higher energy prices stocked inflationary forces:

"Rapidly rising raw material costs putting extreme pressure on profits." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)

"Plastic resin product prices are climbing so fast that [suppliers] are attempting to increase prices on orders already accepted but not [yet] delivered." (Chemical Products)

"Customers are rebuilding safety stock levels of inventory, and also trying to buy ahead of material price increases." (Plastics & Rubber Products)