NMI (Non-Manufacturing Index) at 50.9%; September Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business(R); Business Activity Index at 55.1%; New Orders Index at 54.2% Employment Index at 44.3%

October 5, 2009 10:00 AM EDT

DO NOT CONFUSE THIS NATIONAL REPORT with the various regional purchasing reports released across the country. The national report's information reflects the entire United States, while the regional reports contain primarily regional data from their local vicinities. Also, the information in the regional reports is not used in calculating the results of the national report. The information compiled in this report is for the month of September 2009.

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector expanded in September, say the nation's purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business(R).

The report was issued today by Anthony Nieves, C.P.M., CFPM, chair of the Institute for Supply Management(TM) Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee; and senior vice president -- supply management for Hilton Hotels Corporation. "The NMI (Non-Manufacturing Index) registered 50.9 percent in September, 2.5 percentage points higher than the 48.4 percent registered in August, indicating growth in the non-manufacturing sector after 11 consecutive months of contraction. The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index increased 3.8 percentage points to 55.1 percent. This is the second consecutive month this index has reflected growth since September 2008. The New Orders Index increased 4.3 percentage points to 54.2 percent, and the Employment Index increased 0.8 percentage point to 44.3 percent. The Prices Index decreased 14.3 percentage points to 48.8 percent in September, indicating a significant reversal and decrease in prices paid from August. According to the NMI, five non-manufacturing industries reported growth in September. Even with the overall month-over-month growth reflected in the report this month, respondents' comments vary by industry and remain mixed about business conditions and the overall economy.

This month, we asked a special question with regard to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Fifteen of the 18 non-manufacturing industries expect to derive some benefit from the program, and 14 non-manufacturing industries responded that they expect their companies to see some benefit."

INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE (Based on the NMI)

The five industries reporting growth in September based on the NMI composite index -- listed in order -- are: Utilities; Health Care & Social Assistance; Retail Trade; Construction; and Wholesale Trade. The 13 industries reporting contraction in September -- listed in order -- are: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Accommodation & Food Services; Mining; Public Administration; Other Services; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Information; Management of Companies & Support Services; Finance & Insurance; Educational Services; and Transportation & Warehousing.

WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING ...

    --  "Sales are very steady and have risen some each month in the past six
        months. The bottom is now here." (Construction)
    --  "Economic recovery turnaround has begun in the financial services
        sector; however, cautious expense management is still practiced."
        (Finance & Insurance)
    --  "Lack of capital available for new project development." (Accommodation
        & Food Services)
    --  "Continue to see signs of slow recovery, but customers are still putting
        orders off until the beginning of 2010." (Professional, Scientific &
        Technical Services)
    --  "Inconsistent ... just when things seem to be settling a bit, a new set
        of pressures develops." (Retail Trade)
    --  "Improvements seen in prices available for natural gas and other fuels."
        (Educational Services)


ISM NON-MANUFACTURING SURVEY RESULTS AT A GLANCE
COMPARISON OF ISM NON-MANUFACTURING AND ISM MANUFACTURING SURVEYS(a)
SEPTEMBER 2009

             Non-Manufacturing                                             Manufacturing

Index        Series  Series  Percent               Rate of      Trend(b)   Series  Series  Percent
             Index   Index   Point    Direction    Change       (Months)   Index   Index   Point
             Sept.   August  Change                                        Sept.   August  Change

NMI/PMI      50.9    48.4    +2.5     Growing      From         1          52.6    52.9    -0.3
                                                   Contracting

Business
Activity/    55.1    51.3    +3.8     Growing      Faster       2          55.7    61.9    -6.2

Production

New Orders   54.2    49.9    +4.3     Growing      From         1          60.8    64.9    -4.1
                                                   Contracting

Employment   44.3    43.5    +0.8     Contracting  Slower       17         46.2    46.4    -0.2

Supplier     50.0    49.0    +1.0     Unchanged    From Faster  1          58.0    57.1    +0.9
Deliveries

Inventories  47.5    43.0    +4.5     Contracting  Slower       13         42.5    34.4    +8.1

Prices       48.8    63.1    -14.3    Decreasing   From         1          63.5    65.0    -1.5
                                                   Increasing

Backlog of   51.5    41.0    +10.5    Growing      From         1          53.5    52.5    +1.0
Orders                                             Contracting

New Export   48.5    54.0    -5.5     Contracting  From         1          55.0    55.5    -0.5
Orders                                             Growing

Imports      51.5    49.0    +2.5     Growing      From         1          52.0    49.5    +2.5
                                                   Contracting

Inventory    62.0    67.5    -5.5     Too High     Slower       148        N/A     N/A     N/A
Sentiment

Customers'   N/A     N/A     N/A      N/A          N/A          N/A        39.0    39.0    0.0
Inventories



(a) Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business(R) data is seasonally adjusted for Business Activity, New Orders, Prices and Employment. Manufacturing ISM Report On Business(R) data is seasonally adjusted for New Orders, Production, Employment, Supplier Deliveries and Inventories.

(b) Number of months moving in current direction

COMMODITIES REPORTED UP / DOWN IN PRICE, and IN SHORT SUPPLY

Commodities Up in Price

Canned Fruit; Cheese (2); Gasoline(c) (2); Milk; and Steel Products.

Commodities Down in Price

Gasoline(c); and Pork.

Commodities in Short Supply

No commodities were reported in short supply for the third consecutive month.

Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.

(c) Reported as both up and down in price.

SEPTEMBER 2009 NON-MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES

NMI (Non-Manufacturing Index)

In September, the NMI registered 50.9 percent, indicating expansion in the non-manufacturing sector for the first time since August 2008. A reading above 50 percent indicates the non-manufacturing sector economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates the non-manufacturing sector is generally contracting.

NMI HISTORY


     Month         NMI            Month         NMI

     Sep 2009      50.9           Mar 2009      40.8

     Aug 2009      48.4           Feb 2009      41.6

     Jul 2009      46.4           Jan 2009      42.9

     Jun 2009      47.0           Dec 2008      40.1

     May 2009      44.0           Nov 2008      37.4

     Apr 2009      43.7           Oct 2008      44.6

     Average for 12 months - 44.0

     High - 50.9

     Low - 37.4



Business Activity

ISM's Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index in September registered 55.1 percent, an increase of 3.8 percentage points when compared to the 51.3 percent registered in August. Eight industries reported increased business activity, and eight industries reported decreased activity for the month of September. Two industries reported no change from August. Comments from respondents include: "More business development activity" and "Increased demand for service."

The industries reporting growth of business activity in September -- listed in order -- are: Mining; Construction; Retail Trade; Health Care & Social Assistance; Transportation & Warehousing; Educational Services; Information; and Wholesale Trade. The industries reporting decreased business activity in September -- listed in order -- are: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Management of Companies & Support Services; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Other Services; Accommodation & Food Services; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Public Administration; and Utilities.


Business Activity      %Higher     %Same     %Lower     Index

Sep 2009               25          56        19         55.1

Aug 2009               28          44        28         51.3

Jul 2009               19          53        28         46.1

Jun 2009               28          50        22         49.8



New Orders

ISM's Non-Manufacturing New Orders Index grew in September after 11 consecutive months of contraction. The index registered 54.2 percent, which is an increase of 4.3 percentage points from the 49.9 percent registered in August. Comments from respondents include: "Increased traffic" and "Promotional activity."

The seven industries reporting growth of new orders in September -- listed in order -- are: Utilities; Construction; Retail Trade; Transportation & Warehousing; Health Care & Social Assistance; Wholesale Trade; and Educational Services. The eight industries reporting contraction of new orders in September -- listed in order -- are: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Mining; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Management of Companies & Support Services; Other Services; Information; Public Administration; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services.


New Orders      %Higher     %Same     %Lower     Index

Sep 2009        25          54        21         54.2

Aug 2009        27          46        27         49.9

Jul 2009        22          52        26         48.1

Jun 2009        29          45        26         48.6



Employment

Employment activity in the non-manufacturing sector contracted in September for the 20th time in the last 21 months. ISM's Non-Manufacturing Employment Index for September registered 44.3 percent. This reflects an increase of 0.8 percentage point when compared to the 43.5 percent registered in August. Three industries reported increased employment, 12 industries reported decreased employment, and three industries reported unchanged employment compared to August. Comments from respondents include: "New business needs" and "Positions previously frozen are now approved to be filled."

The industries reporting an increase in employment in September are: Health Care & Social Assistance; Management of Companies & Support Services; and Educational Services. The industries reporting a reduction in employment in September -- listed in order -- are: Accommodation & Food Services; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Mining; Utilities; Public Administration; Information; Wholesale Trade; Transportation & Warehousing; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Retail Trade; Finance & Insurance; and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing.


Employment      %Higher     %Same     %Lower     Index

Sep 2009        13          60        27         44.3

Aug 2009        8           68        24         43.5

Jul 2009        13          61        26         41.5

Jun 2009        13          64        23         43.4



Supplier Deliveries

The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 50 percent in September, indicating supplier deliveries were unchanged in September when compared to August. A reading at 50 percent indicates an equal balance of non-manufacturing respondents reporting slower and faster deliveries from suppliers. A reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

The five industries reporting slower deliveries in September are: Utilities; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Management of Companies & Support Services; Wholesale Trade; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. The four industries reporting faster supplier deliveries in September are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Construction; Educational Services; and Transportation & Warehousing.


Supplier Deliveries      %Slower     %Same     %Faster     Index

Sep 2009                 8           84        8           50.0

Aug 2009                 7           84        9           49.0

Jul 2009                 8           84        8           50.0

Jun 2009                 3           86        11          46.0



Inventories

ISM's Non-Manufacturing Inventories Index registered 47.5 percent in September, indicating that inventory levels contracted in September for the 13th consecutive month. Of the total respondents in September, 30 percent indicated they do not have inventories or do not measure them. Comments from respondents include: "Higher inventory level due to increased backorders" and "Higher due to reducing delivery frequency."

The seven industries reporting an increase in inventories in September -- listed in order -- are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Health Care & Social Assistance; Other Services; Utilities; Construction; Finance & Insurance; and Retail Trade. The six industries reporting decreases in inventories in September -- listed in order -- are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Transportation & Warehousing; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Accommodation & Food Services; Information; and Wholesale Trade.


Inventories      %Higher     %Same     %Lower     Index

Sep 2009         20          55        25         47.5

Aug 2009         9           68        23         43.0

Jul 2009         18          58        24         47.0

Jun 2009         14          62        24         45.0



Prices

Prices paid by non-manufacturing organizations for purchased materials and services decreased significantly in September. ISM's Non-Manufacturing Prices Index for September registered 48.8 percent, 14.3 percentage points lower than the 63.1 percent reported in August. In September, the percentage of respondents reporting higher prices is 9 percent, the percentage indicating no change in prices paid is 77 percent, and 14 percent of the respondents reported lower prices.

In September, six industries reported an increase in prices paid, in the following order: Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Management of Companies & Support Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; Wholesale Trade; Transportation & Warehousing; and Educational Services. The eight industries reporting prices as decreasing for the month of September -- listed in order -- are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Other Services; Construction; Information; Public Administration; Finance & Insurance; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services.


Prices        %Higher     %Same     %Lower     Index

Sep 2009      9           77        14         48.8

Aug 2009      23          71        6          63.1

Jul 2009      13          59        28         41.3

Jun 2009      26          60        14         53.7



Backlog of Orders

ISM's Non-Manufacturing Backlog of Orders Index grew in September after 13 consecutive months of contraction. The index registered 51.5 percent, 10.5 percentage points higher than the 41 percent reported in August. Of the total respondents in September, 41 percent indicated they do not measure backlog of orders.

The five industries reporting an increase in order backlogs in September are: Construction; Accommodation & Food Services; Finance & Insurance; Health Care & Social Assistance; and Wholesale Trade. The three industries reporting lower backlog of orders in September are: Mining; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; and Transportation & Warehousing.


Backlog of Orders      %Higher     %Same     %Lower     Index

Sep 2009               19          65        16         51.5

Aug 2009               11          60        29         41.0

Jul 2009               10          64        26         42.0

Jun 2009               11          70        19         46.0



New Export Orders

Orders and requests for services and other non-manufacturing activities to be provided outside of the United States by domestically based personnel contracted in September after one month of growth in August. The New Export Orders Index for September registered 48.5 percent, which is a decrease of 5.5 percentage points from August's index of 54 percent. Of the total respondents in September, 66 percent indicated they either do not perform, or do not separately measure, orders for work outside of the United States.

The four industries reporting an increase in new export orders in September are: Mining; Transportation & Warehousing; Accommodation & Food Services; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. The three industries reporting a decrease in export orders in September are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Other Services; and Wholesale Trade.


New Export Orders      %Higher     %Same     %Lower     Index

Sep 2009               14          69        17         48.5

Aug 2009               27          54        19         54.0

Jul 2009               15          65        20         47.5

Jun 2009               33          43        24         54.5



Imports

The ISM Non-Manufacturing Imports Index registered 51.5 percent in September. The index is 2.5 percentage points higher than August's index of 49 percent. In September, 57 percent of respondents reported that they do not use, or do not track, the use of imported materials.

The four industries reporting an increase in the use of imports in September are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Other Services; Information; and Retail Trade. The two industries reporting a decrease in imports for the month of September are: Transportation & Warehousing; and Wholesale Trade.


Imports       %Higher     %Same     %Lower     Index

Sep 2009      9           85        6          51.5

Aug 2009      10          78        12         49.0

Jul 2009      8           74        18         45.0

Jun 2009      5           84        11         47.0



Inventory Sentiment

The ISM Non-Manufacturing Inventory Sentiment Index in September registered 62 percent. This is 5.5 percentage points lower than the 67.5 percent reported in August, indicating that respondents still believe their inventories are too high at this time. In September, 30 percent of respondents said their inventories were too high, 6 percent said their inventories were too low, and 64 percent said their inventories were about right.

The 10 industries reporting a feeling that their inventories are too high in September -- listed in order -- are: Mining; Finance & Insurance; Other Services; Wholesale Trade; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management of Companies & Support Services; Accommodation & Food Services; Retail Trade; Information; and Health Care & Social Assistance. The two industries reporting that their inventories are too low in September are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; and Transportation & Warehousing.


                         %Too     %About     %Too
Inventory Sentiment      High                Low      Index
                                  Right

Sep 2009                 30       64         6        62.0

Aug 2009                 38       59         3        67.5

Jul 2009                 28       69         3        62.5

Jun 2009                 38       58         4        67.0



Special Questions -- September

Survey respondents were asked special questions designed to learn more about expectations regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The questions were structured to determine if respondents believe that their industry and organization will benefit from the program as they understand it.

Of all respondents in September, 44 percent indicate that their industry will benefit. The 15 industries with respondents indicating that they expect to benefit in September -- listed in order -- are: Public Administration; Educational Services; Finance & Insurance; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Wholesale Trade; Construction; Retail Trade; Utilities; Health Care & Social Assistance; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Transportation & Warehousing; Accommodation & Food Services; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Information; and Other Services.

In September, 44 percent of respondents indicate that their company will benefit from the program. The 14 industries with respondents indicating that their company will benefit -- listed in order -- are: Public Administration; Educational Services; Construction; Finance & Insurance; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Wholesale Trade; Retail Trade; Utilities; Health Care & Social Assistance; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Transportation & Warehousing; Accommodation & Food Services; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; and Information.

About this Report

The data presented herein is obtained from a survey of non-manufacturing supply managers based on information they have collected within their respective organizations. ISM makes no representation, other than that stated within this release, regarding the individual company data collection procedures. Use of the data is in the public domain and should be compared to all other economic data sources when used in decision-making.

Data and Method of Presentation

The Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business(R) is based on data compiled from purchasing and supply executives nationwide. Membership of the Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee is diversified by NAICS, based on each industry's contribution to gross domestic product (GDP). The Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee responses are divided into the following NAICS code categories: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Mining; Utilities; Construction; Wholesale Trade; Retail Trade; Transportation & Warehousing; Information; Finance & Insurance; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Management of Companies & Support Services; Educational Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Accommodation & Food Services; Public Administration; and Other Services (services such as Equipment & Machinery Repairing; Promoting or Administering Religious Activities; Grantmaking; Advocacy; and Providing Dry-Cleaning & Laundry Services, Personal Care Services, Death Care Services, Pet Care Services, Photofinishing Services, Temporary Parking Services, and Dating Services).

Survey responses reflect the change, if any, in the current month compared to the previous month. For each of the indicators measured (Business Activity, New Orders, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, Inventory Change, Inventory Sentiment, Imports, Prices, Employment and Supplier Deliveries), this report shows the percentage reporting each response, and the diffusion index. Responses represent raw data and are never changed. Data is seasonally adjusted for Business Activity, New Orders, Prices and Employment. All seasonal adjustment factors are supplied by the U.S. Department of Commerce and are subject annually to relatively minor changes when conditions warrant them. The remaining indexes have not indicated significant seasonality.

The NMI is a composite index based on the diffusion indexes for four of the indicators with equal weights: Business Activity (seasonally adjusted), New Orders (seasonally adjusted), Employment (seasonally adjusted) and Supplier Deliveries. Diffusion indexes have the properties of leading indicators and are convenient summary measures showing the prevailing direction of change and the scope of change. An index reading above 50 percent indicates that the non-manufacturing economy in that index is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally declining. Supplier Deliveries is an exception. A Supplier Deliveries Index above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries and below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries.

The Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business(R) is published monthly by the Institute for Supply Management(TM), the largest supply management research and education organization in the United States. The Institute for Supply Management(TM), established in 1915, is the largest supply management organization in the world as well as one of the most respected. ISM's mission is to lead the supply management profession through its standards of excellence, research, promotional activities and education.

The full text version of the Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business(R) is posted on ISM's Web site at www.ism.ws on the third business day of every month after 10:10 a.m. (ET).

The next Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business(R) featuring the October 2009 data will be released at 10:00 a.m. (ET) on Wednesday November 4, 2009.


    Source: Institute for Supply Management

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