Karim writes:
Orders-Inventories spread down 6.7pts to 11.6 (down from 30.5 peak 2mths ago and 18-20 range of past few months); signals slower production gains in months ahead
Biggest surprise is near 7pt jump in employment to 53.1; appears at odds with other surveys (Conf Board) and Claims
Anecdotes mixed
| Oct | Sept | |
| Index | 55.7 | 63.5 |
| Prices paid | 65.0 | 63.5 |
| Production | 63.3 | 55.7 |
| New Orders | 58.5 | 60.8 |
| Inventories | 46.9 | 42.5 |
| Employment | 53.1 | 46.2 |
| Export Orders | 55.5 | 55.0 |
| Imports | 51.0 | 52.0 |
- “We are beginning to be affected greatly by lead-time increases on semiconductor components.” (Computer & Electronic Products)
- “Still a very difficult environment — commodity increases threaten recovery and don’t seem to correlate with any supply/demand fundamentals.” (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)
- “Automotive demand still remains strong even after ‘cash for clunkers.'” (Fabricated Metal Products) [indicated for the second month]
- “After several rather busy months, we are seeing the order intake for early next year soften.” (Transportation Equipment)
- “The improvement seen earlier is not holding.” (Primary Metals)
[top]