ISM Non-Manufacturing Report on Business: May 2013

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Non-Manufacturing Report on Business indicating that service related business activity continued to expand in May with the overall non-manufacturing index climbing to 53.7 from last months reading of 53.1.

At 56.5 the business activity index improved since last month climbing 2.73% above the level seen a year earlier.

This month, service industry respondents are sounding mixed to flat with some respondents citing improving activity but also uncertainty and lingering weakness:


"Sales remain slightly higher than the same period last year, but still below pre-recession sales figures." (Public Administration)

"The job order market slowed in April/May. We saw a slight increase in employment due to working down the order/inquiry backlog." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"Business seems to be improving through the second half of the year." (Information)

"Fairly stable the last month; overall optimistic going forward." (Accommodation & Food Services)

"The flat sequential sales — which began in January 2012 — are still continuing. At this point, we do not predict any lift in the foreseeable future. We do not see any negatives; it appears that business has reached its 'cruising altitude' and is staying there." (Wholesale Trade)

"Healthcare reform and sequestration are having a strong negative impact on business." (Health Care & Social Assistance)

"North America continues to improve at a modest rate. Europe is still a problem for global recovery." (Mining)

ISM Non-Manufacturing Report on Business: March 2013

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Non-Manufacturing Report on Business indicating that service related business activity continued to expand in March while assessments of service-sector related activity pulled back slightly with the business activity component declining while the overall non-manufacturing index slid to 54.4 from last months reading of 56.0.

At 56.5 the business activity index declined a slight 0.70% since February falling 3.25% below the level seen a year earlier.

This month, service industry respondents are sounding very positive with all respondent quotes citing generally improving activity.:


"The economy and our business appear to be improving." (Management of Companies & Support Services)

"Volumes are down slightly, but spending per person is up." (Arts, Entertainment & Recreation)

"Economy and all of our business units appear to be on track for positive gains this year. It may be a struggle, but economic indicators and signs of business growth point to increased spending from our customers." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"Local business climate seems more upbeat as the market moves higher." (Public Administration)

"Winter weather has affected construction, but the spring building season looks encouraging." (Wholesale Trade)

"Sales increased 17 percent last year; sales continue to rise this quarter." (Retail Trade)

"Anticipate a plentiful season, requiring strategic planning with packaging inventories." (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting)

ISM Non-Manufacturing Report on Business: February 2013

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Non-Manufacturing Report on Business indicating that service related business activity continued to expand in February as assessments of service-sector related activity generally improved with the business activity component increasing slightly while the overall non-manufacturing index climbed to 56.0 from last months reading of 55.2.

At 56.9 the business activity index improved a slight 0.89% since January but remained 5.64% below the level seen a year earlier.

This month, service industry respondents are sounding very positive with all respondent quotes citing improving activity and "positive signs":


"Our business is beginning to turn up slightly." (Health Care & Social Assistance)

"Business seems to be improving; RFQ volume and orders also up." (Management of Companies & Support Services)

"Continuing to see slight uptrend in activity, primarily related to 1st quarter initiatives started." (Finance & Insurance)

"Construction market showing some positive signs." (Real Estate, Rental & Leasing)

"The economy continues to slowly pick up, perhaps at an even faster pace than had been previously projected. New housing permits and business licenses are at a multiyear high, although still lower than pre-recession." (Public Administration)

"February bouncing back to forecast levels, which was 11 percent over 2012." (Wholesale Trade)

"Business is picking up; more projects to bid and things are improving." (Construction)

ISM Non-Manufacturing Report on Business: January 2013

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Non-Manufacturing Report on Business indicating that service related business activity continued to expand in January but assessments were slightly lower than last month with the business activity component declining and the overall non-manufacturing index edging down slightly to 55.2 from 55.7.

At 56.4 the business activity index declined a notable 7.24% since December falling 5.21% below the level seen a year earlier.

This month, service industry respondents are sounding mixed reporting some cautious optimism as well as "soft" assessments of conditions:


"Sales are up slightly compared to this same period last year. This is offset by slight increases in costs for personnel benefits, fuel and other operating costs." (Public Administration)

"Business is good, but we find ourselves in a very competitive environment." (Construction)

"No change in business levels since prior month, but optimism growing that commercial and industrial construction will experience growth in 2013." (Real Estate, Rental & Leasing)

"Healthcare reform causing continued slowdown and less investment." (Health Care & Social Assistance)

"Seeing increasing prices on services and goods — some not substantiated. Business outlook continues to show small signs of improvement in parts of our business, but other parts are lagging behind." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"There seems to be some stabilization in recent months. Business seems a little more confident, and consumers are participating once again." (Retail Trade)

"Business is slightly softer than this time last year, but there are a lot of projects on the horizon which gives us confidence." (Wholesale Trade)

ISM Non-Manufacturing Report on Business: November 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Non-Manufacturing Report on Business indicating that service related business activity was improved in November with the business activity component climbing and the overall non-manufacturing index rising to 54.7 from 54.2 in October.

At 61.2 the business activity index rose a notable 10.47% since October climbing 9.09% above the level seen a year earlier.

This month, service industry respondents are sounding mixed reporting some "cautious" optimism as well as "lagging" conditions:


"Cautiously optimistic is the best way to describe customer sentiment. Revenue continues to remain well below last year, but seems to have finally reached a point of stability. Price pressures are beginning to ease and customer traffic is once again picking up." (Arts, Entertainment & Recreation)

"We have experienced an estimated 25 percent [increase] in new job orders, and in new hires for services." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"Some companies seemed slower to make hiring decisions and/or place new positions on hold due to uncertainty in the economy and political climate." (Management of Companies & Support Services)

"Worries about global slowdown persist; however, the housing market appears to have hit its lows and is beginning to climb. This is good news for governmental tax base projections." (Public Administration)

"Hurricane Sandy has impacted our business activity tremendously. This emergency should not be misconstrued as a positive increase in business as usual; we merely facilitated emergency equipment and supplies to be delivered to the affected areas and the emergency responders." (Wholesale Trade)

"Sales continue to lag, but there are signs of improvement." (Retail Trade)

ISM Non-Manufacturing Report on Business: October 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Non-Manufacturing Report on Business indicating that service related business activity was slowed in October with the business activity component weakening and the overall non-manufacturing index declining to 54.2 from 55.1 in September.

At 55.4 the business activity index declined a notable 7.51% since September but remained 3.94% above the level seen a year earlier.

This month, service industry respondents are sounding mixed reporting "sluggish" conditions but steady activity:

"Business with markets and customers we serve remains strong." (Management of Companies & Support Services)

"Business is steady, with good fourth quarter expected." (Information)

"The sluggish pace of economic recovery coupled with rapid increases in gas prices on the West Coast continue to drag down customer traffic and discretionary spending. Levels remain well below last year." (Arts, Entertainment & Recreation)

"Ongoing concerns about healthcare reform; reluctance to expand or hire." (Health Care & Social Assistance)

"Outlook is positive yet still guarded. Clients have some pent-up demand that they are acting on with short-term contracts." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"More companies seeking relief from fuel increases." (Public Administration)

ISM Non-Manufacturing Report on Business: August 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Non-Manufacturing Report on Business indicating that service related business activity was mixed in August with the business activity component declining while the overall non-manufacturing index improved to 53.7 from 52.6 in July.

At 55.6 the business activity index declined 2.80% since July falling 1.42% below the level seen a year earlier.

This month, service industry respondents are sounding mixed to negative with some reporting "unpredictable" conditions, tighter budgets or even palpable slowdown:

"Markets and customers we serve remain strong and have not caused any adverse impact to our business." (Management of Companies & Support Services)

"Economy still stagnant. Small jobs keeping us going. Expect some improvement in capital spending in fourth quarter." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"Small slowdown in tourism. Commodity prices on the rise." (Arts, Entertainment & Recreation)

"Budgets are tighter; there are fewer new purchases being pursued that were not planned or budgeted." (Finance & Insurance)

"Overall conditions continue to be unpredictable. Sales are inconsistent as customers reel to the news of the day, which creates havoc on the supply chain to respond." (Retail Trade)

"Customers appear to be refocusing their resources on internal costs and efficiencies." (Wholesale Trade)

ISM Non-Manufacturing Report on Business: May 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Non-Manufacturing Report on Business indicating that service related business activity went flat in May with the business activity component increasing while the overall non-manufacturing index improved just slightly to 53.7 from 53.5 in April.

At 55.6 the business activity index increased 1.83% since April climbing 2.02% above the level seen a year earlier.

This month, service industry respondents are sounding slightly mixed with more positive expectations than earlier in the year and still reasonably optimistic for economic activity in 2012:

"Q2 will be a strong quarter for us; the building market is starting to wake up." (Construction)

"Increased activity and resources related to projects." (Finance & Insurance)

"The upswing in consumer confidence has led to increased business." (Arts, Entertainment & Recreation)

"While we tend to remain optimistic about the economy, our numbers do not show a surge in activity. It appears consumers are maintaining their 'let's wait and see' attitude." (Accommodation & Food Services)

"Business outlook is flat for the remainder of 2012 with emphasis on cost containment, restructuring and cost-savings projects." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"Business is still strong, but we have seen some softening in growth since mid-March." (Wholesale Trade)

ISM Non-Manufacturing Report on Business: April 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Non-Manufacturing Report on Business indicating that service related business activity declined notably in April with the business activity component dropping while the overall non-manufacturing index declined to 53.5 from 56.0 in March.

At 54.6 the business activity index declined 7.30% since March dropping 2.50% below the level seen a year earlier.

This month, service industry respondents are sounding mixed with lower expectations than earlier in the year though still reasonably optimistic for economic activity in 2012:

"Sales have improved slightly, yet still lag behind pre-recession highs. The hiring freeze has been lifted, but open positions are still being vetted for need, timing of the fill, and so forth." (Public Administration)

"Business conditions have improved in March and April 2012. We have received more job inquiries and job awards in this period. The increase is about 15 percent." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"Current conditions compared to prior year are good. Fuel and food continue to be a challenge." (Arts, Entertainment & Recreation)

"Business is slowing — and projections for the rest of the year are being lowered." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"Business is still ahead of last year, but has leveled off a little." (Wholesale Trade)

"High price of petroleum/oil driving up costs for all market areas." (Transportation & Warehousing)

"Sales have improved slightly, yet still lag behind pre-recession highs. The hiring freeze has been lifted, but open positions are still being vetted for need, timing of the fill, and so forth." (Public Administration)

"Business conditions have improved in March and April 2012. We have received more job inquiries and job awards in this period. The increase is about 15 percent." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"Current conditions compared to prior year are good. Fuel and food continue to be a challenge." (Arts, Entertainment & Recreation)

"Business is slowing — and projections for the rest of the year are being lowered." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"Business is still ahead of last year, but has leveled off a little." (Wholesale Trade)

"High price of petroleum/oil driving up costs for all market areas." (Transportation & Warehousing)

ISM Non-Manufacturing Report on Business: March 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Non-Manufacturing Report on Business indicating that service related business activity declined notably in March with the business activity component dropping while the overall non-manufacturing index declined to 56.0 from 57.3 in February.

At 58.9 the business activity index declined 5.91% since February but remained 0.51% above the level seen a year earlier.

This month, service industry respondents are sounding very positive and optimistic for economic activity in 2012:

"2012 continues ahead of forecasted pace through March." (Wholesale Trade)

"February was a great month for auto sales — much better than expected. Forecasted sales volumes for the year are being revised upward." (Retail Trade)

"Positive year-over-year growth is finally being seen as customers' discretionary spend is up, and overall traffic is increasing as well. Increased investments in marketing promotions and advertising during the past few months have helped improve customer loyalty, evidenced by longer stays and increased frequency of visits." (Arts, Entertainment & Recreation)

"Companies are seeking professional services to continue efficiencies while positioning for growth, when the top line comes back." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"We are starting to see the private sector building again; the money is starting to flow into construction." (Construction)

"Increasing demand for healthcare services while engaging in a more intense effort to reduce costs universally. [We are doing this] prior to implementation of healthcare reform, which is expected to dramatically reduce revenue by approximately 25 percent." (Health Care & Social Assistance)

ISM Non-Manufacturing Report on Business: February 2012

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Non-Manufacturing Report on Business indicating that service related business activity improved throughout February with the business activity component climbing notably while the overall non-manufacturing index increased to 57.3 from 56.8 in January.

At 62.6 the business activity index increased 5.21% since January but remained 6.43% below the level seen a year earlier.

Like releases of prior months, non-manufacturing sector respondents are seeing some signs of improvement but the overall outlook is still fairly mixed:

"Year-over-year and month-over-month growth continues. Market conditions improved dramatically." (Information)

"Although customer traffic continues to decline, discretionary spending per capita is increasing. There is a bit more confidence regarding current economic conditions, spurring on slightly more aggressive marketing to capture new customers and encourage repeat visits." (Arts, Entertainment & Recreation)

"Business is generally flat, but showing signs of improvement." (Health Care & Social Assistance)

"Bracing for impact of fuel price increases on delivered commodity prices." (Educational Services)

"Optimism is all around, but sales remain sluggish. Activity shows interest, but market [is] very price sensitive." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"Signs are building that things are starting to settle and business is stabilizing. Although orders aren't increasing rapidly, they are steady and consistent instead of the radical swings of the past two years. We hope that this trend will continue." (Retail Trade)

"Demand [is] gradually increasing for most business sectors." (Wholesale Trade)

ISM Non-Manufacturing Report on Business: December 2011

Today, the Institute for Supply Management released their latest Non-Manufacturing Report on Business indicating that service related business activity improved slightly throughout December with the business activity component going flat on the month while the overall non-manufacturing index increased to 52.6 from 52.0 in November.

At 56.2 the business activity index went unchanged since October and remained 10.65% below the level seen a year earlier.

Like releases of prior months, non-manufacturing sector respondents are seeing some signs of improvement but the overall outlook is still fairly mixed:

"Year-end uptick in activity." (Finance & Insurance)

"Business is stabilizing — some good signs in the private sector for commercial construction." (Construction)

"Some additional proposal requests, but clients continue to delay decisions on capital spending. Expect first quarter 2012 activity to be sluggish." (Professional, Scientific & Technical Services)

"Automotive industry growth seems to be outpacing the rest of the economy." (Information)

"Demand increasing gradually." (Wholesale Trade)

"Business is holding steady. Outlook for December and first quarter 2012 is good." (Retail Trade)