PMI® at 49.1%; March 2020 Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®

Production, New Orders, and Employment Contracting; Supplier Deliveries Slowing at Faster Rate; Backlog Contracting; Raw Materials Inventories Contracting; Customers' Inventories Too Low; Prices Decreasing; Exports and Imports Contracting

TEMPE, Ariz., April 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted in March, and the overall economy grew for the 131st consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM^® Report On Business^®.

The report was issued today by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., Chair of the Institute for Supply Management^® (ISM^®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee: "The March PMI^® registered 49.1 percent, down 1 percentage point from the February reading of 50.1 percent. The New Orders Index registered 42.2 percent, a decrease of 7.6 percentage points from the February reading of 49.8 percent. The Production Index registered 47.7 percent, down 2.6 percentage points compared to the February reading of 50.3 percent. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 45.9 percent, a decrease of 4.4 percentage points compared to the February reading of 50.3 percent. The Employment Index registered 43.8 percent, a decrease of 3.1 percentage points from the February reading of 46.9 percent.

"The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 65 percent, up 7.7 percentage points from the February reading of 57.3 percent, and limited the decrease in the composite PMI^®. The Supplier Deliveries Index is one of five equally weighted subindexes that directly factor into the PMI^®, along with New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories. Supplier Deliveries is the only ISM^® Report On Business^® index that is inversed — a reading of above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries, which is typical as the economy improves and customer demand increases. However, the high index reading in March was primarily a product of coronavirus-related supply problems.

"The Inventories Index registered 46.9 percent, 0.4 percentage point higher than the February reading of 46.5 percent. The Prices Index registered 37.4 percent, down 8.5 percentage points compared to the February reading of 45.9 percent. The New Export Orders Index registered 46.6 percent, a decrease of 4.6 percentage points compared to the February reading of 51.2 percent. The Imports Index registered 42.1 percent, a 0.5-percentage point decrease from the February reading of 42.6 percent.

"Comments from the panel were negative regarding the near-term outlook, with sentiment clearly impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and energy market volatility. The PMI^® returned to contraction territory, and with a negative trajectory. Demand slumped, with (1) the New Orders Index contracting at a strong level, in part pushed by new export order contraction, (2) the Customers' Inventories Index remaining at 'too low' status, but increasing at a level considered a negative for future production, (3) the Backlog of Orders Index contracting again, at a moderate rate. Consumption (measured by the Production and Employment indexes) contributed negatively (a combined 5.7-percentage point decrease) to the PMI^® calculation, with activity contracting at a faster rate. Inputs — expressed as supplier deliveries, inventories and imports — strengthened in March, due primarily to supplier delivery difficulties; inventory contraction stabilized. Despite imports contracting at strong rates due primarily to coronavirus impacts, inputs contributed positively to the PMI^® calculation. (The Imports Index does not directly factor into the PMI^®.) Prices continued to contract (and at a faster rate in March), supporting a negative outlook.

"The coronavirus pandemic and shocks in global energy markets have impacted all manufacturing sectors. Among the six big industry sectors, Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products remains strongest, followed by Chemical Products, which in addition to the pharmaceutical component, is a significant contributor to the Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products Industry and beneficiary of low energy and feedstock prices. Transportation Equipment and Petroleum & Coal Products are the weakest sectors. Sentiment regarding near-term growth this month is strongly negative, by a 2-to-1 ratio," says Fiore.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the 10 that reported growth in March — listed in order — are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Paper Products; Chemical Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Primary Metals; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Plastics & Rubber Products. The six industries reporting contraction in March, in order, are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Textile Mills; Transportation Equipment; Furniture & Related Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Machinery.

WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING

• "COVID-19 is impacting China's raw material supply chain. We are now seeing revenue impact in that region. Our operations team is reviewing plans for spread of the virus." (Computer & Electronic Products)
• "The two main issues affecting our business [are] COVID-19 and the oil-price war. We are in daily discussions and meeting constantly, updating tracking logs to document high risk concerns." (Chemical Products)
• "COVID-19 impact has extended to Europe and North America. The virus escalation is affecting our purchasing and logistics operations. We have incurred air-shipment and production interruptions due to shortages of raw materials and components." (Transportation Equipment)
• "We are experiencing a record number of orders due to COVID-19." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)
• "World demand for petroleum products is declining, while supply is ramping up. We have lost supply chain visibility to certain locations." (Petroleum & Coal Products)
• "COVID-19's spread in the U.S. may start impacting our domestic business. As for Asian suppliers, they are starting to get back up to speed." (Fabricated Metal Products)
• "COVID-19 has caused a 30-percent reduction in productivity in our factory." (Machinery)
• "A big part of our business is hospitality, and we are seeing demand drop and an increase in cancellations." (Nonmetallic Mineral Products)
• "All North American manufacturing plants have ceased operations or drastically scaled back as a result of customer plant closings and other responses to COVID-19." (Plastics & Rubber Products)
• "Volumes are down 4.3 percent, and some areas of the supply chain are being affected by the coronavirus." (Furniture & Related Products)

Manufacturing ISM^® Report On Business^® data is seasonally adjusted for the New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories indexes.
*Number of months moving in current direction.

COMMODITIES REPORTED UP/DOWN IN PRICE AND IN SHORT SUPPLY

Commodities Up in Price
Capacitors (2); Circuit Card Assemblies; Isopropyl Alcohol; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — Gloves; Resistors (2); Steel — Hot Rolled* (5); and Steel Products (2).

Commodities Down in Price
Aluminum (2); Aluminum Products (3); Base Oils; Copper (2); Corrugate (2); Crude Oil (2); Diesel Fuel; Fuel; Heating Oil; Natural Gas (4); Oil Products; Plastic; Scrap (2); and Steel — Hot Rolled* (2).

Commodities in Short Supply
Cleaning Wipes; Hand Sanitizer; Isopropyl Alcohol; Paper Towels; Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) — Gloves; PPE — Masks; and Toilet Paper.

Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.
*Indicates both up and down in price.

MARCH 2020 MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES

PMI^®
Manufacturing contracted in March, as the PMI^® registered 49.1 percent, a 1-percentage point decrease from the February reading of 50.1 percent. "The PMI^® contracted in March after expanding marginally in January and February. Three of the big six industries expanded, with Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products expanding strongly. Only one (Supplier Deliveries) of the PMI^®'s 10 subindexes recorded expansion, down from four the previous month," says Fiore. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.

A PMI^® above 42.8 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the March PMI^® indicates growth for the 131st consecutive month in the overall economy, but a return to contraction by the manufacturing sector following two months of expansion. "The past relationship between the PMI^® and the overall economy indicates that the PMI^® for March (49.1 percent) corresponds to a 1.8-percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis," says Fiore.

THE LAST 12 MONTHS

New Orders
ISM^®'s New Orders Index registered 42.2 percent in March, a decrease of 7.6 percentage points compared to the 49.8 percent reported for February. This indicates that new orders contracted for the second consecutive month. This is the index's lowest reading since March 2009, when it registered 41.3 percent. "Of the top six industry sectors, three expanded, with Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products expanding strongly, and Chemical Products and Computer & Electronic Products expanding modestly. Fabricated Metal Products, Transportation Equipment and Petroleum & Coal Products are in strong contraction territory," says Fiore. A New Orders Index above 52.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau's series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, nine reported growth in new orders in March, in the following order: Wood Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Chemical Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. The nine industries reporting a decline in new orders in March — in the following order — are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; Primary Metals; Textile Mills; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture & Related Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Fabricated Metal Products; and Machinery.

Production
ISM^®'s Production Index registered 47.7 percent in March, 2.6 percentage points lower than the 50.3 percent reported for February, indicating a return to contraction following two months of expansion. "Two of six big industry sectors expanded, the same number as the previous month. A lack of new orders, insufficient backlog and supplier delivery restrictions contributed to reduced production output," says Fiore. An index above 51.7 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board's Industrial Production figures.

The seven industries reporting growth in production during the month of March — listed in order — are: Wood Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Primary Metals; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. The five industries reporting a decrease in production in March are: Transportation Equipment; Textile Mills; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Machinery. Six industries reported no change in production in March compared to February.

Employment
ISM^®'s Employment Index registered 43.8 percent in March, a decrease of 3.1 percentage points compared to the February reading of 46.9 percent. This is the lowest reading since May 2009, when the index registered 35.3 percent. "This is the eighth month of employment contraction, and at a faster rate compared to February. Among the six big industry sectors, two expanded and four contracted. Twenty-nine percent of panelist comments noted staffing-expansion plans, with the rest indicating a slowing, hiring freeze or head-count reduction," says Fiore. An Employment Index above 50.8 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data on manufacturing employment.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, three reported employment growth in March: Printing & Related Support Activities; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. The 13 industries reporting a decrease in employment in March, in the following order, are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Primary Metals; Furniture & Related Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Chemical Products; and Machinery.

Supplier Deliveries^†
The delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was slower in March, as the Supplier Deliveries Index registered 65 percent. This is 7.7 percentage points higher than the 57.3 percent reported for February. "Suppliers continue to struggle to deliver, at a much stronger rate compared to February. The index reached its highest level since June 2018, when it registered 68.2 percent. The coronavirus pandemic was the focus of 66 percent of this subindex's comments, with a third of those comments related to supply chain constraints from China," says Fiore. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

The 16 industries reporting slower supplier deliveries in March — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Textile Mills; Transportation Equipment; Primary Metals; Computer & Electronic Products; Paper Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Chemical Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture & Related Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. No industry reported faster supplier deliveries in March.

Inventories
The Inventories Index registered 46.9 percent in March, a 0.4-percentage point increase from the 46.5 percent reported for February. "The index contracted for a 10th straight month, but at a slower rate. Inventories are expected to grow as disruptions in the supply chain lead to inefficiencies in material conversion and continued advance stocking to protect production schedules," says Fiore. An Inventories Index greater than 44.3 percent, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars).

The five industries reporting higher inventories in March are: Printing & Related Support Activities; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Primary Metals; and Chemical Products. The 11 industries reporting a decrease in inventories in March — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Petroleum & Coal Products; Wood Products; Textile Mills; Machinery; Plastics & Rubber Products; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; and Computer & Electronic Products.

Customers' Inventories^†
ISM^®'s Customers' Inventories Index registered 43.4 percent in March, which is 1.6 percentage points higher than the 41.8 percent reported for February, indicating that customers' inventory levels were considered too low. "Customers' inventories are too low for the 42nd consecutive month; however, the index took a step toward 'about right' territory in March. These inventories remain at an acceptable level to support future production output. Of note: the 'too low' inventory in the Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products sector," says Fiore.

Of 18 industries, the only industry reporting higher customer inventories in March is Transportation Equipment. The 12 industries reporting customers' inventories as too low during March — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Textile Mills; Paper Products; Chemical Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Furniture & Related Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Machinery.

Prices^†
The ISM^® Prices Index registered 37.4 percent in March, a decrease of 8.5 percentage points from the February reading of 45.9 percent, indicating raw materials prices decreased for the second consecutive month, at a much faster rate. "Prices contracted in March, driven primarily by scrap steel, aluminum, corrugate, copper, heating oil and other energy sources. Prices contracted to their lowest level since January 2016, when the index registered 33.9 percent," says Fiore. A Prices Index above 52.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials.

The two industries reporting paying increased prices for raw materials in March are: Wood Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. The 15 industries reporting a decrease in prices for raw materials in March — listed in order — are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Primary Metals; Furniture & Related Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Paper Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Machinery; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.

Backlog of Orders^†
ISM^®'s Backlog of Orders Index registered 45.9 percent in March, 4.4 percentage points lower than the 50.3 percent reported in February, indicating order backlogs contracted after expanding for one month. "Backlogs returned to contraction territory, as a result of weak new order and new export order levels. Only one of the six big industry sectors' backlogs expanded during the period," says Fiore.

Six of the 18 industries reported growth in order backlogs in March, in the following order: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Paper Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Chemical Products. In March, eight industries reported lower backlogs, in the following order: Petroleum & Coal Products; Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Transportation Equipment; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; and Computer & Electronic Products.

New Export Orders^†
ISM^®'s New Export Orders Index registered 46.6 percent in March, a decrease of 4.6 percentage points compared to the February reading of 51.2 percent. "The New Export Orders Index fell back into contraction territory after two consecutive months of growth. Only one of the six big industry sectors expanded during the period, down from three the previous month," says Fiore.

The four industries reporting growth in new export orders in March are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Paper Products; Chemical Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The six industries reporting a decrease in new export orders in March, in the following order, are: Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Plastics & Rubber Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. Seven industries reported no change in exports in March compared to February.