Growth increased for distributors, but decreased for manufacturers in December, according to the January Economic Indicator Report from the Industrial Supply Association. The ISA Distributor Index increased from 54.2 in November to 60.2 in December, while the Manufacturer Index decreased from 54.5 to 52.3.
“This month’s report shows that the market outlook is mixed as we head into 2016, with some sectors looking much healthier than others,” said Bryon Shafer, general manager of ASG Industrial and chair of ISA’s strategic information committee.
For each index, a reading above 50 percent indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 percent indicates contraction. The Indexes have been above 50 percent since December 2012.