Economic Reports 12/03/07

ISM Index Nov 50.8 vs prior 50.9 Full Report

Inside the number: A slowing economy witnessed by contracting manufacturing employment, imports, backlog and customer inventories.

Under 50 contracting; over expanding. Expanding: New orders 52.6 vs 52.5; Production 51.9 vs 49.6; Prices 67.5 vs 63.

Contracting: Employment 47.8 vs 52; Customer Inventories 49 vs 54; Backlog 41.5 vs 46; Imports 47.5 vs 47.5.

Comments:
"Continued concerns regarding high oil prices, weak dollar and weak housing sector." (Chemical Products)
"Erratic market causing more difficulty in forecasting customer demand." (Computer & Electronic Products)
"Heavy truck market has not started recovering yet." (Fabricated Metal Products)
"Business is off by almost 50 percent over last year in the building products industry." (Nonmetallic Mineral Products)
"More inquiries from international customers than domestic." (Machinery)

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