Activity was mixed in February for manufacturer and distributor members of the Industrial Supply Association, according to the latest ISA Economic Indicators Report.
The report showed manufacturer activity in February at 63.2 percent compared to 62 percent the previous month and the distributor index at 59.2 percent compared to 66.4 percent in January. During the same period, the Purchasing Manager Index increased from 51.3 to 53.2.
“The results for ISA manufacturer members in February appeared to mirror the factory output report from the Federal Reserve, which showed business improved in February compared to January,” said Bryon Shafer, general manager of ASG Industrial and chair of ISA’s Strategic Information Committee. “For distributors, however, growth in February slowed somewhat compared to the previous month. At 59.2 percent, the Distributor Index remains firmly in positive territory.”
For each index, a reading above 50 percent indicates expansion, while a reading below 50 percent indicates contraction.