NMI™ at 54.4%; March Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®; Business Activity Index at 56.5%; New Orders Index at …

DO NOT CONFUSE THIS NATIONAL REPORT with the various regional purchasing reports released across the country. The national report's information reflects the entire United States, while the regional reports contain primarily regional data from their local vicinities. Also, the information in the regional reports is not used in calculating the results of the national report. The information compiled in this report is for the month of March 2013.

TEMPE, Ariz., April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in March for the 39th consecutive month, say the nation's purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.

The report was issued today by Anthony Nieves, C.P.M., CFPM, chair of the Institute for Supply Management Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "The NMI registered 54.4 percent in March, 1.6 percentage points lower than the 56 percent registered in February. This indicates continued growth at a slightly slower rate in the non-manufacturing sector. The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index registered 56.5 percent, which is 0.4 percentage point lower than the 56.9 percent reported in February, reflecting growth for the 44th consecutive month. The New Orders Index decreased by 3.6 percentage points to 54.6 percent, and the Employment Index decreased 3.9 percentage points to 53.3 percent, indicating growth in employment for the eighth consecutive month. The Prices Index decreased 5.8 percentage points to 55.9 percent, indicating prices increased at a slower rate in March when compared to February. According to the NMI, 15 non-manufacturing industries reported growth in March. The majority of respondents' comments continue to be positive about business conditions; however, there is an underlying concern regarding the uncertainty of the future economy."

INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE

The 15 non-manufacturing industries reporting growth in March listed in order are:Construction; Management of Companies & Support Services; Transportation & Warehousing; Accommodation & Food Services; Educational Services; Retail Trade; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Utilities; Wholesale Trade; Public Administration; Information; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Finance & Insurance; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; and Other Services. The three industries reporting contraction in March are: Mining; Health Care & Social Assistance; and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting.

WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING ...

ISM NON-MANUFACTURING SURVEY RESULTS AT A GLANCE

COMPARISON OF ISM NON-MANUFACTURING AND ISM MANUFACTURING SURVEYS*

MARCH 2013

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NMI™ at 54.4%; March Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®; Business Activity Index at 56.5%; New Orders Index at ...