Predicted: 57.6%
Actual: 55.9%
==========
Previous month: 57.4%
==========
The NMI is a reliable barometer of the U.S. services sector; above 50% implies expansion, while a reading below 50% implies that the services sector contracted.
Service categories include: 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).
==========
From today' report:
"...Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in December for the 96th consecutive month, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®..."
==========
- "Many suppliers are proposing price increases, but few are being implemented. Increases in volume and efficiencies seem to be outperforming commodity pricing."
(Accommodation and Food Services)
- "December is slowing, as is seasonally expected after a strong fall. Business in general is strong [and] within the normal pattern of seasonal fluctuation."
(Management of Companies and Support Services)
- "Some improvement is jobs from the private sector."
(Professional, Scientific and Technical Services)
- "Lumber prices are increasing due to product [being] damaged in the recent wildfires. Duties on steel from Vietnam is expected to cause an increase in steel prices. Ongoing shortages in construction related [to] labor continue to be a problem."
(Construction)
- "Ending the year with profits and business levels on track. 2018 is projected to be as productive with an optimistic outlook."
(Finance and Insurance)
- "IV solutions are still on national manufacturer back order. Hospital gauze back orders are also causing issues in the industry."
(Health Care and Social Assistance)
- "We are seeing a resurgence in the business activity of our oil and gas customers, in a positive direction that is impacting our sales."
(Other Services)
- "Steady end-of-year demand. Forecasting substantial increase in 2018 activity."
(Public Administration)
- "Sales have slowed in food supply after last month’s buildup for the holidays."
(Retail Trade)
 |
| ISM Non-Manufacturing Index (NMI) History |