The delivery performance of suppliers to manufacturing organizations was faster for the third consecutive month in December as the Supplier Deliveries Index registered 44.9 percent, which is 3.5 percentage points lower than the 48.4 percent registered in November. A reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

The three industries reporting slower supplier deliveries in December are: Primary Metals; Transportation Equipment; and Machinery. The industries reporting faster deliveries in December are: Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Computer & Electronic Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Wood Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Plastics & Rubber Products; Paper Products; Fabricated Metal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Chemical Products.