ISM: Services Sector Economic Activity Reaches Another Record High in November



Economic activity in the services sector grew in November for the 18th month in a row, with the Services PMI setting a record for the fifth time in 2021, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s Services Report on Business for November.

“In November, the Services PMI registered another all-time high of 69.1%, 2.4 percentage points above October’s reading of 66.7%, the former all-time high. Previous records were set in March (63.7%), May (64%) and July (64.1%),” Anthony Nieves, CPSM, CPM, APP, CFPM, chair of the Institute for Supply Management’s services business survey committee, said. “The data quickly explains the elevated Services PMI reading, as two of the four equally weighted subindexes that directly factor into the composite index set or tied all-time highs. The Business Activity Index reached 74.6%, an increase of 4.8 percentage points compared to the reading of 69.8% in October, and the New Orders Index registered 69.7%, the same reading as last month’s figure. The other two subindexes are Employment and Supplier Deliveries; both also contributed positively to the Services PMI in November.

“The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 75.7%, the same reading as in October. The all-time high is 78.3%, recorded in April 2020. Supplier Deliveries is the only ISM Report on Business index that is inversed; a reading of above 50% indicates slower deliveries, which is typical as the economy improves and customer demand increases.

“Demand continues to be strong, reflected by two other subindexes in November. The Backlog of Orders Index registered 65.9%, 1.4 percentage points lower than October’s all-time high reading of 67.3%. The Prices Index reached its third-highest reading ever at 82.3%, down 0.6 percentage point from the October figure of 82.9%. Services businesses continue to struggle replenishing inventories, as the Inventories Index (48.2%, up six percentage points from October’s reading of 42.2%) and the Inventory Sentiment Index (an all-time low of 36.4%, down 0.9 percentage point from the previous month’s figure of 37.3%) stayed in contraction or ‘too low’ territory in November.

“According to the Services PMI, all 18 services industries reported growth. The composite index indicated growth for the 18th consecutive month after a two-month contraction in April and May 2020. In November, record growth continued for the services sector, which has expanded for all but two of the last 142 months. Demand continues to outpace supply that has been impacted by capacity constraints, shortages of labor and materials and logistical challenges. This has also caused demand-pull inflation that is affecting overall business conditions.”

As Nieves noted, all 18 services industries reported growth in November, including construction, mining, transportation and warehousing.

What Respondents Are Saying

  • “Labor shortages, transportation delays and supply constraints/allocations.” (Accommodation and Food Services)
  • “Business is greater than in the past. Supply chain issues persist, but we’re evolving to overcome or manage them better than in the past.” (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting)
  • “Some food products that we have contracts on have been unavailable. Substitutes are always higher in cost.” (Arts, Entertainment and Recreation)
  • “Construction material shortages and longer lead times continue to hamper operations. Significant cost increases from labor and freight are forecast for the start of next year.” (Construction)
  • “As an institution of higher education, maintaining the safety, health and security of thousands of students, faculty and staff while allowing classes to continue in person and virtually has been a juggling act. We have been faced with multiple shortages on everything from personal protective equipment (PPE) to computers and peripherals and vehicles. Shipments are taking longer and prices continue to climb, putting additional strain on (already) stressed budgets.” (Educational Services)
  • “Seeing inflationary forces in the marketplace, which is resulting in suppliers raising their prices moving into 2022.” (Finance and Insurance)
  • “COVID-19 patients continue to impact census and procedures. Supplies continue to be difficult to obtain at times.” (Healthcare and Social Assistance)
  • “Suppliers continue to report that labor shortages are leading to production issues and delays. In some areas, sufficient raw materials and capacity exist, but labor is the gating factor. Continued inflationary pressures driven by the cost of fuel, shipping capacity constraints and imbalances in supply and demand are impacting a broad spectrum of products.” (Management of Companies and Support Services)
  • “Late deliveries and shortages continue. Disruptions seem to be declining somewhat, as suppliers and customers are finding innovative ways to keep supplies moving.” (Public Administration)
  • “Continuing struggle with transportation capacity.” (Retail Trade)
  • “The COVID-19 surge, inventory shortages, driver and maintenance worker shortages and long lead times for materials are straining our system. This limits our ability to keep vehicles on the road and necessary services running on schedule.” (Transportation and Warehousing)
  • “Inflation and supply chain issues have caused cost increases and stockouts, but sales continue to be strong, with a positive outlook for the next quarter and beyond.” (Wholesale Trade)


Like this story? Begin each business day with news you need to know! Click here to register now for our FREE Daily E-News Broadcast and start YOUR day informed!

Leave a comment

View Latest Digital Edition

Terry Mulreany
Subscriptions: 800 708 9373 x130
[email protected]
Susie Angelucci
Advertising: 484.459.3016
[email protected]

View Latest Digital Edition

Visit our sister website for news, information, exclusive articles,
deal tables and more on the asset-based lending, factoring,
and restructuring industries.
www.abfjournal.com