Milwaukee ISM Index Jumps to 51.6 in June

The seasonally adjusted Milwaukee Report on Business surged to 51.6 in June from 40.7 in May, the Institute for Supply Management-Milwaukee reported Friday.

New orders received rose to 49.5 from 33.1, production soared to 50.0 from 35.7, employment increased to 49.4 from 44.3, supplier deliveries gained to 54.9 from 48.3, and backlog of orders increased to 45.7 from 43.5.

Inventory levels climbed to 54.0 from 42.0, customers' inventories dipped to 45.5 from 45.2, prices slid to 54.0 from 64.0, exports inched up to 47.2 from 47.1 and imports fell to 52.6 from 54.8.

The blue collar diffusion index increased to 49.2 from 46.2, while the white collar diffusion index gained to 47.3 from 46.2.

Respondents' comments included:

  • Seasonal business has finally started to come in but the normal standard product still lags
  • Overall economic conditions remain sluggish, which has negatively impacted our sales. Some commodities seeing upward cost push (i.e. corrugated) but no major supply chain issues related to supply or demand
  • Seeing increased orders
  • Shipping at higher rates
  • The acrylic & polycarbonate markets have been soft since early in the year. Suppliers are offering special prices on spot buys.
  • Market has been soft; lower spot buys
  • Strategic planning for growth
  • Lack of confidence in orders more than 8 weeks out
  • Inaccurate forecasts are influencing supplier deliveries.
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