ISM illustrated

• "Purchasing remains a challenge as suppliers now seem to be trying to raise pricing at any sign of life in the economy." (Computer & Electronic Products)
• "Business is picking up — lots of opportunities." (Primary Metals)
• "Agricultural commodities continue to weaken, with the exception of the domestic and world sugar markets." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)
• "Automotive demand continues to be strong even after 'cash for clunkers.'" (Fabricated Metal Products)
• "Business remains slow, with no sign of improvement again this month." (Nonmetallic Mineral Products)

MANUFACTURING AT A GLANCE SEPTEMBER 2009
Index	Series Index September	Series Index August	Percentage Point Change	Direction	Rate of Change	Trend* (Months)
PMI	52.6	52.9	-0.3	Growing	Slower	2
New Orders	60.8	64.9	-4.1	Growing	Slower	3
Production	55.7	61.9	-6.2	Growing	Slower	4
Employment	46.2	46.4	-0.2	Contracting	Faster	14
Supplier Deliveries	58.0	57.1	+0.9	Slowing	Faster	4
Inventories	42.5	34.4	+8.1	Contracting	Slower	41
Customers' Inventories	39.0	39.0	0	Too Low	Same	6
Prices	63.5	65.0	-1.5	Increasing	Slower	3
Backlog of Orders	53.5	52.5	+1.0	Growing	Faster	2
Exports	55.0	55.5	-0.5	Growing	Slower	3
Imports	52.0	49.5	+2.5	Growing	From Contracting	1
OVERALL ECONOMY				Growing	Slower	5
Manufacturing Sector				Growing	Slower	2

*Number of months moving in current direction.