Non-manufacturing activity drops off in March, with growth remaining positive

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Non-manufacturing activity drops off in March, with growth remaining positive SDI acquires Tech Conveyor Keynote panel confirms digital supply chain shift seen in new MHI study Mallard introduces new Extend-a-Rail mobile expandable pallet flow Trelleborg showcases full range of industrial tires More News Coming off of a very strong performance in February, non-manufacturing activity declined in March while still remaining in decent shape, based on data issued today in the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) Non-Manufacturing Report on Business. The index ISM uses to measure non-manufacturing growth—known as the NMI—was 55.2 (a reading of 50 or higher indicates growth) in March, down 2.4 percent from February’s 57.6, the highest NMI going back to October 2015. The NMI has grown now for 87 consecutive months, and the February reading is 0.2 percent below the 12-month average of 55.4. Each of the report’s core four metrics, including the NMI, was down in March. Business activity/production dropped 4.7 percent to 60.3, while growing for the last 92 months and it was up against February’s 63.6, which was the highest level since February 2011’s 63.8. New orders dropped 2.3 percent to 58.9, while still growing for the last 92 months. And employment saw a 3.6 percent decrease to 51.6, still growing for the last 37 months. ISM said that 15 non-manufacturing industries reporting growth in March, including: Management of Companies & Support Services; Utilities; Wholesale Trade; Mining; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Accommodation & Food Services; Retail Trade; Health Care & Social Assistance; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Transportation & Warehousing; Construction; Finance & Insurance; Other Services; and Public Administration. The three industries reporting contraction in March were Information; Educational Services; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services. Even though the numbers in March were down, ISM member respondent comments […]