U.S. August ISM Services - New orders bounce, even of imports
August’s ISM services index of 52.0 is the strongest since February and up from 50.1 in July. The data suggests the US economy continues to grow, if at a moderate pace.
The improvement was led by new orders, which at 56.0 are up from 50.3 and the highest since October 2024.
Business activity at 55.0 was also firm, is less sharply improved from July’s 52.6. Employment at 46.5 from 46.4 remains weak. Deliveries at 50.3 from 51.0 complete the breakdown of the composite.
Prices paid do not contribute to the composite and at 69.2 from 69.9 showed a marginal dip from July’s level that was the highest since October 2022.
Exports and imports also do not contribute to the composite. Exports at 47.3 from 47.9 remain weak but imports saw a surprising bounce to 54.6 from 45.9, reaching their highest since October 2023. The improvement in new orders is clearly not confined to domestic ones.
