ISM Non-Manufacturing Index: The Institute for Supply Management’s non-manufacturing index increased by 2.9 points month on month (+5.7% m/m) to 53.4 in January 2024.

The ISM non-manufacturing survey measures the rate and direction of change in activity in non-manufacturing industries. Surveys are sent to more than 400 purchasing managers in 18 industries. Survey responses reflect the change in the current month compared with the previous month. A value of 50 is neutral, while less than 50 denotes contracting non-manufacturing activity and greater than 50 denotes expanding activity.

Figure 1 breaks down the composite index and sub-indexes. The business activity sub-index was 55.8, while the imports sub-index was 59.9.

The 10 services industries reporting growth in January — listed in order — are: Health Care & Social Assistance; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Public Administration; Utilities; Accommodation & Food Services; Construction; Other Services; Educational Services; and Management of Companies & Support Services. The seven industries reporting a decrease in the month of January — listed in order — are: Information; Retail Trade; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Mining; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Wholesale Trade; and Finance & Insurance.

“Transportation impacts of the Suez Canal, due to unrest in the Red Sea and the issues at the Panama Canal are impacting both costs and schedules for the transport of global goods.” [Construction]

At Gerdau, we closely monitor the ISM non-manufacturing index since it is an excellent barometer of the present strength, as well as a window on the likely short-run future, of the U.S. non-manufacturing economy. We have seen that a strengthening non-manufacturing economy translates to improved steel consumption.