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New Orders ISM's New Orders Index registered 54.2 percent in October, which is an increase of 1.9 percentage points when compared to the September reading of 52.3 percent. This represents the second consecutive month of growth in new orders following three consecutive months of contraction. A New Orders Index above 52.3 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau's series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).

The five industries reporting growth in new orders in October are: Furniture & Related Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Paper Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The eight industries reporting a decrease in new orders during October -- listed in order -- are: Primary Metals; Wood Products; Machinery; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Chemical Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; and Apparel, Leather & Allied Products. ISM's Production Index registered 52.4 percent in October, which is an increase of 2.9 percentage points when compared to the 49.5 percent reported in September. This indicates a return to growth in production following two consecutive months of contraction. An index above 51.2 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board's Industrial Production figures.

The six industries reporting growth in production during the month of October -- listed in order -- are: Furniture & Related Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Paper Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The seven industries reporting a decrease in production in October -- listed in order -- are: Primary Metals; Machinery; Wood Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products.

Employment ISM's Employment Index registered 52.1 percent in October, which is 2.6 percentage points lower than the 54.7 percent reported in September. This is the 37th consecutive month of growth in the Employment Index. An Employment Index above 50.5 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, eight reported growth in employment in October in the following order: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; and Primary Metals. The six industries reporting a decrease in employment in October -- listed in order -- are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Wood Products.

Employment %Higher %Same %Lower Net Index

Oct 2012 24 55 21 +3 52.1

Sep 2012 23 59 18 +5 54.7

Aug 2012 19 65 16 +3 51.6

Jul 2012 20 65 15 +5 52.0

Supplier Deliveries The delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was faster in October as the Supplier Deliveries Index registered 49.6 percent, which is 0.7 percentage point lower than the 50.3 percent reported in September. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.