ISM's Backlog of Orders Index registered 51.5 percent in December, which is 2.5 percentage points lower than the 54 percent reported in November. This is the third consecutive month of expanding order backlogs. Of the 87 percent of respondents who reported their backlog of orders, 23 percent reported greater backlogs, 20 percent reported smaller backlogs, and 57 percent reported no change from November.

The eight industries reporting increased order backlogs in December — listed in order — are: Primary Metals; Plastics & Rubber Products; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Furniture & Related Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Paper Products; Fabricated Metal Products; and Transportation Equipment. The six industries reporting decreases in order backlogs during December — listed in order —  are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Wood Products; Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Chemical Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Machinery.

New Export Orders*

ISM's New Export Orders Index registered 55 percent in December, which is 4.5 percentage points lower than the 59.5 percent reported in November. December's reading reflects growth in the level of exports for the 13th consecutive month.

The nine industries reporting growth in new export orders in December — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Furniture & Related Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Transportation Equipment; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Machinery; and Chemical Products. No industries reported a decrease in new export orders during December. Eight industries reported no change in new export orders in December compared to November.

Imports*

ISM's Imports Index registered 55 percent in December, which is the same percentage that was reported in November. This month's reading represents the 13th consecutive month that the Imports Index has registered at or above 50 percent.

The eight industries reporting growth in imports during the month of December — listed in order — are: Textile Mills; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Transportation Equipment; Furniture & Related Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; and Chemical Products. The two industries reporting a decrease in imports during December are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; and Primary Metals. Eight industries reported no change in import orders in December compared to November.