According to the latest ISM report, economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in February, and the overall economy grew for the 106th consecutive month.

“The February PMI registered 60.8%, an increase of 1.7 percentage points from the January reading of 59.1%. The New Orders Index registered 64.2%, a decrease of 1.2 percentage points from the January reading of 65.4%. The Production Index registered 62%, a 2.5 percentage point decrease compared to the January reading of 64.5 percent,” said Timothy R. Fiore, chair of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, who issued the report. “The Employment Index registered 59.7%, an increase of 5.5 percentage points from the January reading of 54.2%. The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 61.1%, a two-percentage point increase from the January reading of 59.1%. The Inventories Index registered 56.7 percent, an increase of 4.4 percentage points from the January reading of 52.3%. The Prices Index registered 74.2% in February, a 1.5 percentage point increase from the January reading of 72.7%, indicating higher raw materials prices for the 24th consecutive month.

“Comments from the panel reflect expanding business conditions, with new orders and production maintaining high levels of expansion; employment expanding at a faster rate to support production; order backlogs expanding at a faster rate; and export orders and imports continuing to grow faster in February. Supplier deliveries continued to slow (improving) at a faster rate. Price increases occurred across most industry sectors. The Customers’ Inventories Index indicates levels remain too low. Capital expenditure lead times improved by five days while production material supplier lead times extended four days during the month of February.”

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 15 reported growth in February, including transportation equipment, electrical equipment and machinery.