ISM’s Backlog of Orders Index registered 23 percent in December, 4 percentage points lower than the 27 percent reported in November. Of the 86 percent of respondents who reported their backlog of orders, 5 percent reported greater backlogs, 59 percent reported smaller backlogs, and 36 percent reported no change from November.

The only industry reporting an increase in order backlogs in December is Apparel, Leather & Allied Products. The industries that reported decreases in order backlogs during December are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Paper Products; Transportation Equipment; Wood Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Furniture & Related Products; Primary Metals; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Plastics & Rubber Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products.