ISM Manufacturing Index

Definition:

The ISM Manufacturing Index is based on surveys of 300 purchasing managers nationwide representing 20 industries regarding manufacturing activity. It covers indicators as new orders, production, employment, inventories, delivery times, prices, export orders, and import orders.

Importance:

It's considered as the king of all manufacturing indices. Readings of 50% or above are typically associated with an expanding manufacturing sector and a healthy economy, while readings below 50 are associated with contraction. Additionally, its various sub-components contain useful information about manufacturing activity. The production component is related to industrial production, new orders to durable goods orders, employment to factory payrolls, prices to producer prices, export orders to merchandise trade exports and import orders to merchandise imports. The index is seasonally adjusted for the effects of variations within the year, differences due to holidays and institutional changes.

Source:

Institute for Supply Management, formerly NAPM: National Association of Purchasing Managers.

Availability:

On the first business day of the month at 10:00am ET. Data for month prior.

Frequency:

Monthly.

Revisions:

The data are not revised.

Raw Data:

http://www.ism.ws

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