Manufacturing PMI® at 54.6%; August 2026 ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report
NEWS PROVIDED BY
Institute for Supply Management
Sep 01, 2026, 10:00 ET
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New Orders Growing; Production Growing; Employment Growing; Supplier Deliveries Slowing; Raw Materials Inventories Growing; Customers' Inventories Too Low; Prices Increasing; Imports Growing; Exports Growing
TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in August for the eighth consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report.
The report was issued today by Susan Spence, MBA, Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.
"The Manufacturing PMI® registered 54.6 percent in August, 1 percentage point below the July figure of 55.6 percent. The overall economy continued in expansion for the 22nd month in a row. (A Manufacturing PMI® above 47.5 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy.) The New Orders Index expanded for the eighth consecutive month after four straight readings in contraction, registering 53.7 percent, down 3 percentage points compared to July's figure of 56.7 percent. The August reading of the Production Index (58.3 percent) is 0.2 percentage point lower than the 58.5 percent recorded in July. The Prices Index remained in expansion (or 'increasing' territory), registering 71.1 percent, the same reading as July. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 51.8 percent, down 3.2 percentage points compared to the 55 percent recorded in July. The Employment Index reading of 51.2 percent is down 1.6 percentage points from July's figure of 52.8 percent," says Spence.
"The Supplier Deliveries Index indicated slowing performance for the ninth month in a row after one month in 'faster' territory. The reading of 59.3 percent is up 0.4 percentage point from its July reading of 58.9 percent. (Supplier Deliveries is the only ISM® PMI® Reports index that is inversed; a reading of above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries, which is typical as the economy improves and customer demand increases.)
"The Inventories Index registered 50.6 percent, down 0.6 percentage point compared to July's reading of 51.2 percent. The Customers' Inventories Index reading of 42.8 percent is 2.1 percentage points higher compared to the 40.7 percent recorded in July.
"The New Export Orders Index gained 0.2 percentage point in August for a reading of 53.2 percent versus 53 percent last month. The Imports Index registered 52.5 percent, a loss of 3.2 percentage points since July's reading of 55.7 percent."
Spence continues, "In August, U.S. manufacturing activity remained in expansion territory, though it has lost ground in a number of key measures — namely, the New Orders, Backlog and Imports indexes. Of the five subindexes that make up the PMI®, the only one that grew faster than last month was Supplier Deliveries (up 0.4 percentage point), indicating a continuing slowdown of the supply chain.
"In August, 42 percent of the comments were positive and 58 percent negative, with a 1-to-1.4 ratio of positive to negative sentiment. Pricing volatility was mentioned in 57 percent of negative comments, the Iran war 30 percent, increasing lead times 46 percent and tariffs 29 percent. (Most comments mentioned multiple factors.)
"In August, three of four demand indicators (the New Orders, Backlog of Orders and New Export Orders indexes) remained in expansion, and the Customers' Inventories Index remained in 'too low' territory, contracting at a slower rate. A 'too low' status for the Customers' Inventories Index is usually considered positive for future production.
"Regarding output, the Production Index expanded for the 10th month in a row (though at a slower pace) with the positive-to-negative comment ratio dropping in August (2.2 positive comments for every negative one, versus a 3.3-to-1 ratio in July). The Employment Index remained in expansion but lost 1.6 percentage points. The positive-to-negative comments ratio on Employment also dropped (1.3-to-1, compared to 1.5-to-1 the previous month).
"Finally, inputs (defined as supplier deliveries, inventories, prices and imports) were mixed, with the Supplier Deliveries Index increasing another 0.4 percentage point, the Inventories Index declining 0.6 percentage point but staying in expansion, and Prices Index repeating its July reading of 71.1 percent, and the Imports Index losing 3.2 percentage points, to 52.5 percent versus 55.7 percent in July.
"Looking at the manufacturing economy, 22 percent of the sector's gross domestic product (GDP) contracted in August, compared to 20 percent in July, and 2 percent of manufacturing GDP was in strong contraction (defined as a composite PMI® of 45 percent or lower), compared to zero percent in July. The share of sector GDP with a PMI® at or below 45 percent is a good metric to gauge overall manufacturing weakness. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, five (Transportation Equipment; Petroleum & Coal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products) expanded in August."
The 15 manufacturing industries reporting growth in August — listed in order — are: Primary Metals; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Textile Mills; Furniture & Related Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Paper Products; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Computer & Electronic Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products. The two industries reporting a contraction in August are: Wood Products; and Chemical Products.
WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING
"The economy is annoying; it is getting in the way of otherwise good business. We are making great new products but struggling to compete when prices escalate due to things like tariffs and the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz. I fear that the inflation caused by these factors will lead to lower sales and lower spending power of our customers. Call it inflation! At some point, it leads to an economic downturn or at least an economic pain for many consumers. It's an uncertain year, our second in a row." [Chemical Products]
"For our building products division, profitability is not far off from last year despite economic headwinds, as our specialty products have maintained their market share and sales. Specific to IT, the rising costs in component inputs have caused some budgetary constraints as we plan for the 2027 fiscal year. However, we largely been able to keep costs close to historic consumer price index averages." [Chemical Products]
"Supply chain situation, especially in the electronics market, is going through another crisis even bigger and more complicated than during and post COVID-19. That's mainly due to AI infrastructure and uncertainties in the global market (for oil and other critical supplies) due to war in the Middle East and more complication on trade rules." [Computer & Electronic Products]
"Supply markets are increasingly challenging due to inflation and supply availability. Each month has been more difficult than the previous one. Starting to resemble the post-COVID-19 disruptive period." [Computer & Electronic Products]
"Prices continue to rise on all goods. Suppliers are noting that energy, steel and labor costs are increasing very quickly. We continue to try to move products around to offset costs. We have moved more products to offshore sources to try to minimize cost impacts." [Machinery]
"Photonics, high speed connectors, semiconductors and government orders are expanding significantly. Supply chains domestically and globally are difficult, with increases in lead times and cost." [Machinery]
"Commentary this month echoes that of recent months: (1) significant availability/price challenges in commodities heavily consumed by AI, (2) great uncertainty over when the Iran conflict will end, and (3) another round of shifting U.S. tariff policy. Despite these tensions, we continue to focus on what we can control, and the market for our products remains strong." [Miscellaneous Manufacturing]
"This month is a blur: Steel prices continue to climb as supply diminishes, aluminum is rising after dropping, and there are many holes on the plate side. Demand seems to be a seesaw. Our prediction ability continues to diminish, with the exception that the year will remain difficult until the end." [Primary Metals]
"High steel and aluminum prices (due to Section 232 tariffs) continue to make profitability a challenge. Uncertainty over the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement is at the forefront of many customer conversations. Our industry has also been hit with countervailing and anti-dumping penalties, further raising the cost of equipment." [Transportation Equipment]
"Volume is consistent. Our main customer is shifting production from U.S. plants to Mexico plants." [Transportation Equipment]
MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE
August 2026
Index
Series
Index
Aug
Series
Index
Jul
Percentage
Point
Change
Direction
Rate of
Change
Trend*
(Months)
Manufacturing
PMI®
54.6
55.6
-1.0
Growing
Slower
8
New Orders
53.7
56.7
-3.0
Growing
Slower
8
Production
58.3
58.5
-0.2
Growing
Slower
10
Employment
51.2
52.8
-1.6
Growing
Slower
2
Supplier
Deliveries
59.3
58.9
+0.4
Slowing
Faster
9
Inventories
50.6
51.2
-0.6
Growing
Slower
3
Customers'
Inventories
42.8
40.7
+2.1
Too Low
Slower
23
Prices
71.1
71.1
0
Increasing
Same
23
Backlog of
Orders
51.8
55.0
-3.2
Growing
Slower
8
New Export
Orders
53.2
53.0
+0.2
Growing
Faster
2
Imports
52.5
55.7
-3.2
Growing
Slower
7
OVERALL ECONOMY
Growing
Slower
22
Manufacturing Sector
Growing
Slower
8
ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report data is seasonally adjusted for the New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories indexes.
*Number of months moving in current direction.
COMMODITIES REPORTED UP/DOWN IN PRICE AND IN SHORT SUPPLY
Commodities Up in Price
Aluminum* (33); Chemicals; Copper (14); Copper Products; Corrugated Products (5); Diesel Fuel; Electrical Components (3); Electronic Components (8); Freight (6); Fuel (6); Memory Components (6); Metal Products (5); Oil Based Products (5); Plastic Based Products (5); Printed Circuit Boards (2); Resin Based Products (2); Resins (7); Semiconductors (3); Steel (10); Steel — Cold Rolled (2); Steel — Hot Rolled (8); Steel — Stainless (7); Steel Products (9); and Wire.
Commodities Down in Price
Aluminum*(3); and Solvents.
Commodities in Short Supply
Copper (2); Electrical Components (14); Electronic Components (18); Labor; Memory (8); Printed Circuit Boards (2); Steel (2); and Tungsten Products (2).
Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.
*Indicates both up and down in price.
August 2026 MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES
Manufacturing PMI®
The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in August for the eighth straight month following a 10-month period of contraction, registering 54.6 percent, a decrease of 1 percentage point compared to July. Of the five subindexes that directly factor into the Manufacturing PMI® — the New Orders, Production, Employment, Supplier Deliveries and Inventories indexes — all were in expansion territory, the same as in July. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, five (Transportation Equipment; Petroleum & Coal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products) expanded in August. A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing sector is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.
A Manufacturing PMI® above 47.5 percent, over a period of time, generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. Therefore, the August Manufacturing PMI® indicates the overall economy grew for the 22nd straight month. "The past relationship between the Manufacturing PMI® and the overall economy indicates that August reading (54.6 percent) corresponds to a 2.4-percent increase in real gross domestic product (GDP) on an annualized basis," says Spence.
THE LAST 12 MONTHS
Month
Manufacturing
PMI®
Month
Manufacturing
PMI®
Aug 2026
54.6
Feb 2026
52.4
Jul 2026
55.6
Jan 2026
52.6
Jun 2026
53.3
Dec 2025
47.9
May 2026
54.0
Nov 2025
48.0
Apr 2026
52.7
Oct 2025
48.8
Mar 2026
52.7
Sep 2025
48.9
Average for 12 months – 51.8
High – 55.6
Low – 47.9
New Orders
ISM®'s New Orders Index expanded in August with a reading of 53.7 percent, a decrease of 3 percentage points compared to July's reading of 56.7 percent. "Of the six largest manufacturing industries, three (Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Transportation Equipment) reported increased new orders. Demand sentiment was less optimistic in August, with a 2-to-1 ratio of positive to negative comments (versus 3.5-to-1 in July)," says Spence. A New Orders Index above 51.9 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Census Bureau's series on manufacturing orders (in constant 2000 dollars).
The 11 manufacturing industries that reported growth in new orders in August, in order, are: Textile Mills; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Primary Metals; Furniture & Related Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; and Plastics & Rubber Products. The three industries reporting a decline in new orders in August are: Wood Products; Chemical Products; and Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products.
New Orders
%Higher
%Same
%Lower
Net
Index
Aug 2026
19.0
65.4
15.6
+3.4
53.7
Jul 2026
25.6
60.2
14.2
+11.4
56.7
Jun 2026
22.3
64.3
13.4
+8.9
56.0
May 2026
30.9
55.2
13.9
+17.0
56.8
Production
The Production Index expanded in August for the 10th month in a row, registering 58.3 percent, a 0.2 percentage point decrease compared to July's reading of 58.5 percent. "Of the six largest manufacturing industries, four (Petroleum & Coal Products; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; and Chemical Products) reported increased production. Panelists had a 2.2-to-1 ratio of positive to negative comments regarding output," says Spence. An index above 52 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Federal Reserve Board's Industrial Production figures.
The 12 industries reporting growth in production during the month of August — listed in order — are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Primary Metals; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Textile Mills; Plastics & Rubber Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Furniture & Related Products; Transportation Equipment; Paper Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; and Fabricated Metal Products. Two industries reported a decrease in production in August are: Wood Products; and Computer & Electronic Products.
Production
%Higher
%Same
%Lower
Net
Index
Aug 2026
25.1
62.9
12.0
+13.1
58.3
Jul 2026
25.1
64.5
10.4
+14.7
58.5
Jun 2026
19.0
68.0
13.0
+6.0
52.2
May 2026
26.7
57.8
15.5
+11.2
54.3
Employment
ISM®'s Employment Index registered 51.2 percent in August, 1.6 percentage points lower than July's reading of 52.8 percent. "Of the six big manufacturing industries, only Transportation Equipment reported higher levels of employment in August. The panelist comment ratio of hiring to managing/reducing head counts was 1.3-to-1," says Spence. An Employment Index above 50.3 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, seven reported employment growth in August, in the following order: Printing & Related Support Activities; Primary Metals; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Transportation Equipment; and Fabricated Metal Products. The three industries reporting a decrease in employment in August are: Textile Mills; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Chemical Products. Eight industries reported no change in employment in August.
Employment
%Higher
%Same
%Lower
Net
Index
Aug 2026
11.8
76.7
11.5
+0.3
51.2
Jul 2026
16.3
70.4
13.3
+3.0
52.8
Jun 2026
16.2
70.0
13.8
+2.4
49.7
May 2026
17.0
67.6
15.4
+1.6
48.6
Supplier Deliveries†
Delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was slower in August for the ninth consecutive month. "The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 59.3 percent, 0.4 percentage point higher than July's reading of 58.9 percent. Of the six big industries, five (Computer & Electronic Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; and Transportation Equipment) reported slower supplier deliveries," says Spence. A reading below 50 percent indicates faster deliveries, while a reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.
The 14 manufacturing industries reporting slower supplier deliveries in August, in order, are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Textile Mills; Wood Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Primary Metals; Machinery; Fabricated Metal Products; Paper Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; and Transportation Equipment. No industries reported that supplier deliveries were faster in August compared to July.
Supplier Deliveries
%Slower
%Same
%Faster
Net
Index
Aug 2026
21.9
74.7
3.4
+18.5
59.3
Jul 2026
21.3
75.2
3.5
+17.8
58.9
Jun 2026
18.1
78.5
3.4
+14.7
57.4
May 2026
24.6
71.9
3.5
+21.1
60.6
Inventories
The Inventories Index registered 50.6 percent in August, down 0.6 percentage point compared to the reading of 51.2 percent in July. "Of the six big industries, two (Transportation Equipment; and Computer & Electronic Products) expanded inventories in August," says Spence. An Inventories Index greater than 44.5 percent, over time, is generally consistent with expansion in the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) figures on overall manufacturing inventories (in chained 2000 dollars).
Of 18 manufacturing industries, the seven reporting higher inventories in August — in the following order — are: Textile Mills; Furniture & Related Products; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Primary Metals; and Computer & Electronic Products. The five industries reporting lower inventories in August are: Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products; and Wood Products. Six industries reported no change in inventories in August compared to July.
Inventories
%Higher
%Same
%Lower
Net
Index
Aug 2026
14.7
73.6
11.7
+3.0
50.6
Jul 2026
11.0
78.5
10.5
+0.5
51.2
Jun 2026
15.4
70.4
14.2
+1.2
51.4
May 2026
18.1
65.4
16.5
+1.6
49.9
Customers' Inventories†
ISM®'s Customers' Inventories Index remained in "too low" territory in August, with reading of 42.8 percent, an increase of 2.1 percentage points compared to the 40.7 percent reported in July. (For more information about the Customers' Inventories Index, see the "Data and Method of Presentation" section below.)
The two industries that reported that customers' inventories were too high in August are: Wood Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. The 11 industries reporting customers' inventories as too low in August, in order, are: Textile Mills; Plastics & Rubber Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Primary Metals; Machinery; Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; and Nonmetallic Mineral Products.
Customers'
Inventories
%
Reporting
%Too
High
%About
Right
%Too
Low
Net
Index
Aug 2026
75
7.3
70.9
21.8
-14.5
42.8
Jul 2026
74
6.8
67.7
25.5
-18.7
40.7
Jun 2026
78
7.5
69.5
23.0
-15.5
42.3
May 2026
73
7.0
71.3
21.7
-14.7
42.7
Prices†
The ISM® Prices Index registered 71.1 percent in August, the same as in July, indicating raw materials prices increased for the 23rd straight month. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, five — Machinery; Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Chemical Products — reported price increases in August. "The Prices Index reading is still being driven by (1) increases in steel and aluminum prices that impact the entire value chain, (2) tariffs applied to many imported goods and (3) increases in petroleum-based products as a result of the Middle East conflict. Higher prices were reported by 46.2 percent of respondents in August, down 4 percentage points from July's 50.2 percent," says Spence. A Prices Index above 52.8 percent, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials.
In August, the 15 industries that reported paying increased prices for raw materials, in order, are: Textile Mills; Wood Products; Primary Metals; Furniture & Related Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Paper Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; Computer & Electronic Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Chemical Products. No industries reported paying decreased prices for raw materials in August.
Prices
%Higher
%Same
%Lower
Net
Index
Aug 2026
46.2
49.8
4.0
+42.2
71.1
Jul 2026
50.2
41.7
8.1
+42.1
71.1
Jun 2026
55.1
35.7
9.2
+45.9
73.0
May 2026
66.3
31.5
2.2
+64.1
82.1
Backlog of Orders†
ISM®'s Backlog of Orders Index registered 51.8 percent in August, a decrease of 3.2 percentage points compared to the July reading of 55 percent. Of the six largest manufacturing industries, three (Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; and Machinery) reported expansion in order backlogs in August.
The 11 industries reporting higher backlogs in August — listed in order — are: Textile Mills; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Furniture & Related Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; and Machinery. The four industries reporting lower backlogs in August are: Wood Products; Paper Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Chemical Products.
Backlog of
Orders
%
Reporting
%Higher
%Same
%Lower
Net
Index
Aug 2026
91
19.7
64.2
16.1
+3.6
51.8
Jul 2026
91
23.5
62.9
13.6
+9.9
55.0
Jun 2026
88
20.4
60.2
19.4
+1.0
50.5
May 2026
87
20.4
63.5
16.1
+4.3
52.2
New Export Orders†
ISM®'s New Export Orders Index remained in expansion territory in August, registering 53.2 percent, up 0.2 percentage point from July's reading of 53 percent. "Among panelists' comments, the positive-to-negative sentiment ratio was 2 to 1," says Spence.
Of the 18 manufacturing industries, the nine that reported growth in new export orders in August — listed in order — are: Furniture & Related Products; Paper Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Chemical Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. The seven industries that reported a decrease in new export orders in August — in the following order — are: Wood Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Textile Mills; Plastics & Rubber Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Fabricated Metal Products; and Machinery.
New Export
Orders
%
Reporting
%Higher
%Same
%Lower
Net
Index
Aug 2026
75
12.0
82.4
5.6
+6.4
53.2
Jul 2026
74
14.8
76.4
8.8
+6.0
53.0
Jun 2026
71
10.9
75.2
13.9
-3.0
48.5
May 2026
74
12.8
75.6
11.6
+1.2
50.6
Imports†
ISM®'s Imports Index registered 52.5 percent in August, a 3.2-percentage point decrease compared to July's reading of 55.7 percent.
The seven industries reporting higher imports in August — in the following order — are: Textile Mills; Transportation Equipment; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Chemical Products. The three industries that reported lower volumes in August are: Fabricated Metal Products; Computer & Electronic Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing. Eight industries reported no change in imports in August compared to July.
Imports
%
Reporting
%Higher
%Same
%Lower
Net
Index
Aug 2026
85
10.1
84.7
5.2
+4.9
52.5
Jul 2026
85
16.0
79.4
4.6
+11.4
55.7
Jun 2026
86
12.5
80.7
6.8
+5.7
52.9
May 2026
85
15.4
75.2
9.4
+6.0
53.0
†The Supplier Deliveries, Customers' Inventories, Prices, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, and Imports indexes do not meet the accepted criteria for seasonal adjustments.
Buying Policy
The average commitment lead time for Capital Expenditures in August was 171 days, one day less than July. The average lead time in August for Production Materials was 84 days, a decrease of three days compared to July. The average lead time for Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies was 48 days, two days less than July.
Percent Reporting
Capital
Expenditures
Hand-to-
Mouth
30 Days
60 Days
90 Days
6 Months
1 Year+
Average
Days
Aug 2026
18
3
8
13
31
27
171
Jul 2026
16
3
7
13
36
25
172
Jun 2026
16
5
7
15
30
27
171
May 2026
17
5
7
11
34
26
171
Percent Reporting
Production
Materials
Hand-to-
Mouth
30 Days
60 Days
90 Days
6 Months
1 Year+
Average
Days
Aug 2026
10
24
26
23
12
5
84
Jul 2026
8
23
25
26
13
5
87
Jun 2026
8
23
28
26
10
5
84
May 2026
8
25
27
25
11
4
81
Percent Reporting
MRO Supplies
Hand-to-
Mouth
30 Days
60 Days
90 Days
6 Months
1 Year+
Average
Days
Aug 2026
29
37
18
9
5
2
48
Jul 2026
26
38
18
11
5
2
50
Jun 2026
28
35
17
13
6
1
48
May 2026
27
39
16
12
4
2
48
About This Report
DO NOT CONFUSE THIS NATIONAL REPORT with the various regional purchasing reports released across the country. The national report's information reflects the entire U.S., 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 August 2026.
The data presented herein is obtained from a survey of manufacturing supply executives based on information they have collected within their respective organizations. ISM® makes no representation, other than that stated within this release, regarding the individual company data collection procedures. The data should be compared to all other economic data sources when used in decision-making.
Data and Method of Presentation
The ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report is based on data compiled from purchasing and supply executives nationwide. The composition of the Manufacturing Business Survey Panel is stratified according to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) and each of the following NAICS-based industries' contribution to gross domestic product (GDP): Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Textile Mills; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Wood Products; Paper Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Petroleum & Coal Products; Chemical Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Computer & Electronic Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Transportation Equipment; Furniture & Related Products; and Miscellaneous Manufacturing (products such as medical equipment and supplies, jewelry, sporting goods, toys and office supplies). The data are weighted based on each industry's contribution to GDP. According to U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) estimates (the average of the fourth quarter 2024 GDP estimate and the GDP estimates for first, second, and third quarter 2025, as released on January 22, 2026), the six largest manufacturing industries are: Chemical Products; Transportation Equipment; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Machinery; and Petroleum & Coal Products.
Survey responses reflect the change, if any, in the current month compared to the previous month. For nine indicators (New Orders, Backlog of Orders, New Export Orders, Imports, Production, Supplier Deliveries, Inventories, Employment, and Prices), this report shows the percentage reporting each response, the net difference between the number of responses in the positive economic direction (higher, better and slower for Supplier Deliveries) and the negative economic direction (lower, worse and faster for Supplier Deliveries), and the diffusion index. For Customers' Inventories, respondents report their assessment of their customers' stock levels of respondent companies' products this month (rather than last month): too high, about right, and too low. Responses are raw data and are never changed. The diffusion index includes the percent of positive responses plus one-half of those responding the same (considered positive).
The resulting single index number for those meeting the criteria for seasonal adjustments (Manufacturing PMI®, New Orders, Production, Employment and Inventories) is then seasonally adjusted to allow for the effects of repetitive intra-year variations resulting primarily from normal differences in weather conditions, various institutional arrangements, and differences attributable to non-moveable holidays. All seasonal adjustment factors are subject annually to relatively minor changes when conditions warrant them. The Manufacturing PMI® is a composite index based on the diffusion indexes of five of the indexes with equal weights: New Orders (seasonally adjusted), Production (seasonally adjusted), Employment (seasonally adjusted), Supplier Deliveries, and Inventories (seasonally adjusted).
Diffusion indexes have the properties of leading indicators and are convenient summary measures showing the prevailing direction of change and the scope of change. A Manufacturing PMI® reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally declining. A Manufacturing PMI® above 47.5 percent, over a period of time, indicates that the overall economy, or gross domestic product (GDP), is generally expanding; below 47.5 percent, it is generally declining. The distance from 50 percent or 47.5 percent is indicative of the extent of the expansion or decline. With some of the indicators within this report, ISM® has indicated the departure point between expansion and decline of comparable government series, as determined by regression analysis. For the Customers' Inventories Index, numerically, a reading: above 50 percent is "too high," equal to 50 percent is "about right," and below 50 percent is "too low." However, in practice and in the context of other data, customers' inventories may be considered to be "about right" if the diffusion index is between 52 percent (the high side of about right) and 48 percent (the low side of about right).
The ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report survey is sent out to Manufacturing Business Survey Panel respondents the first part of each month. Respondents are asked to report on information for the current month for U.S. operations only. ISM® receives survey responses throughout most of any given month, with the majority of respondents generally waiting until late in the month to submit responses to give the most accurate picture of current business activity. ISM® then compiles the report for release on the first business day of the following month.
The industries reporting growth, as indicated in the ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report, are listed in the order of most growth to least growth. For the industries reporting contraction or decreases, those are listed in the order of the highest level of contraction/decrease to the least level of contraction/decrease.
Responses to Buying Policy reflect the percent reporting the current month's lead time, the approximate weighted number of days ahead for which commitments are made for Capital Expenditures; Production Materials; and Maintenance, Repair and Operating (MRO) Supplies, expressed as hand-to-mouth (five days), 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months (180 days), a year or more (360 days), and the weighted average number of days. These responses are raw data, never revised, and not seasonally adjusted.
ISM PMI® Content
The Institute for Supply Management® ("ISM®") PMI® Reports, formerly Report On Business®, (Manufacturing and Services reports) ("ISM PMI®") contain information, text, files, images, video, sounds, musical works, works of authorship, applications, and any other materials or content (collectively, "Content") of ISM ("ISM PMI® Content"). ISM PMI® Content is protected by copyright, trademark, trade secret, and other laws, and as between you and ISM, ISM owns and retains all rights in the ISM PMI® Content. ISM hereby grants you a limited, revocable, nonsublicensable license to access and display on your individual device the ISM PMI® Content (excluding any software code) solely for your personal, non-commercial use. The ISM PMI® Content shall also contain Content of users and other ISM licensors. Except as provided herein or as explicitly allowed in writing by ISM, you shall not copy, download, stream, capture, reproduce, duplicate, archive, upload, modify, translate, publish, broadcast, transmit, retransmit, distribute, perform, display, sell, or otherwise use any ISM PMI® Content.
Except as explicitly and expressly permitted by ISM, you are strictly prohibited from creating works or materials (including but not limited to tables, charts, data streams, time-series variables, fonts, icons, link buttons, wallpaper, desktop themes, online postcards, montages, mashups and similar videos, greeting cards, and unlicensed merchandise) that derive from or are based on the ISM PMI® Content. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the derivative works or materials are sold, bartered, or given away. You shall not either directly or through the use of any device, software, internet site, web-based service, or other means remove, alter, bypass, avoid, interfere with, or circumvent any copyright, trademark, or other proprietary notices marked on the Content or any digital rights management mechanism, device, or other content protection or access control measure associated with the Content including geo-filtering mechanisms. Without prior written authorization from ISM, you shall not build a business utilizing the Content, whether or not for profit.
You shall not create, recreate, distribute, incorporate in other work, or advertise an index of any portion of the Content unless you receive prior written authorization from ISM. Requests for permission to reproduce or distribute ISM PMI® Content can be made by contacting in writing at: ISM Research, Institute for Supply Management, 350 W. Washington St., Suite 301, Tempe, AZ 85288, or by emailing kcahill@ismworld.org. Subject: Content Request.
ISM shall not have any liability, duty, or obligation for or relating to the ISM PMI® Content or other information contained herein, any errors, inaccuracies, omissions or delays in providing any ISM PMI® Content or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. In no event shall ISM be liable for any special, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of the use of the ISM PMI®. Report On Business®, PMI®, Manufacturing PMI® and Services PMI® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management®. Institute for Supply Management® and ISM® are registered trademarks of Institute for Supply Management, Inc.
About Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®)
ISM is the world's first professional association for supply chain — founded in 1915, before the term 'supply chain' was widely used. We didn't enter this profession. We helped shape it. Today, we're a community of over 200,000 professionals in more than 100 countries — early-career practitioners building credentials, experienced leaders seeking strategic insight, and organizations developing their procurement teams that drive their business forward. What connects us is a shared belief that supply chain is strategic work that deserves world-class support. For more information, please visit: www.ismworld.org.
The full text version of the ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report is posted on ISM®'s website at www.ismrob.org on the first business day* of every month after 10:00 a.m. ET. The one exception is in January when the report is released on the second business day of the month.
The next ISM® Manufacturing PMI® Report featuring September 2026 data will be released at 10:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
*Unless the New York Stock Exchange is closed.
Contact:
Kristina Cahill
PMI® Reports Analyst
ISM®, PMI®/Research Manager
Tempe, Arizona
+1 480.455.5910
Email: kcahill@ismworld.org
SOURCE Institute for Supply Management
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