Imports of materials by manufacturers contracted during December as the Imports Index registered 39 percent, 1.5 percentage points higher than the 37.5 percent reported in November. This is the 11th consecutive month of contraction in imports.

The industries reporting growth in import activity for December are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Paper Products; and Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components. The industries that reported decreases in imports during December are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Transportation Equipment; Printing & Related Support Activities; Textile Mills; Fabricated Metal Products; Machinery; Chemical Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Computer & Electronic Products.