TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector contracted in June, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business^®.

The report was issued today by Anthony Nieves, C.P.M., CFPM, chair of the Institute for Supply Management™ Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee; and senior vice president — supply management for Hilton Hotels Corporation. “The NMI (Non-Manufacturing Index) decreased 3.5 percentage points in June to 48.2 percent, indicating contraction after two consecutive months of growth within the non-manufacturing sector. The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index decreased 3.7 percentage points to 49.9 percent. The New Orders Index decreased 5 percentage points to 48.6 percent, and the Employment Index decreased 4.9 percentage points to 43.8 percent. The Prices Index increased 7.5 percentage points to 84.5 percent in June, indicating a faster rate in price increases than in May. The Prices Index is at its highest level since this report began. According to the NMI, eight non-manufacturing industries reported growth in June. Members’ comments in June indicate that rising fuel, energy and commodity costs are negatively impacting their respective businesses. Respondents’ comments are mixed on business conditions and the overall economy.”

INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE (Based on the NMI)

The eight industries reporting growth in June based on the new NMI composite index — listed in order — are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Mining; Educational Services; Construction; Utilities; Information; and Wholesale Trade. The eight industries reporting contraction in June are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Accommodation & Food Services; Other Services(c); Health Care & Social Assistance; Finance & Insurance; Public Administration; Management of Companies & Support Services; and Retail Trade.

WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING …

• “Oil prices are affecting most every supplier we have.” (Transportation & Warehousing)
• “Energy costs are beyond the pain point. They are disruptive to every part of our business.” (Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting)
• “Challenging due to continuing cost pressure from suppliers. Planning on decreased production activity as summer wears on and budgets tighten.” (Other Services(c))
• “High cost of commodities, fuel prices, are impacting margins and economic conditions are negatively impacting traffic counts and average check amounts.” (Accommodation & Food Services)
• “Energy cost is starting to have an effect on cost of products from all sectors.” (Wholesale Trade)

ISM NON-MANUFACTURING SURVEY RESULTS AT A GLANCE COMPARISON OF ISM NON-MANUFACTURING AND ISM MANUFACTURING SURVEYS(a) JUNE 2008
Index		Non-Manufacturing												Manufacturing
		Series Index June		Series Index May		Percent Point Change		Direction		Rate of Change		Trend(b) (Months)		Series Index June		Series Index May		Percent Point Change
NMI/PMI		48.2		51.7		-3.5		Contracting		From Growing		1		50.2		49.6		+0.6
Business Activity/ Production		49.9		53.6		-3.7		Contracting		From Growing		1		51.5		51.2		+0.3
New Orders		48.6		53.6		-5.0		Contracting		From Growing		1		49.6		49.7		-0.1
Employment		43.8		48.7		-4.9		Contracting		Faster		2		43.7		45.5		-1.8
Supplier Deliveries		50.5		51.0		-0.5		Slowing		Slower		3		55.1		53.7		+1.4
Inventories		53.0		54.0		-1.0		Growing		Slower		2		51.2		48.0		+3.2
Prices		84.5		77.0		+7.5		Increasing		Faster		61		91.5		87.0		+4.5
Backlog of Orders		49.0		49.0		0.0		Contracting		Same		2		47.5		46.0		+1.5
New Export Orders		52.0		54.0		-2.0		Growing		Slower		2		58.5		59.5		-1.0
Imports		50.5		48.0		+2.5		Growing		From Contracting		1		46.0		49.5		-3.5
Inventory Sentiment		60.0		66.5		-6.5		“Too High”		Slower		133		N/A		N/A		N/A
Customers’ Inventories		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		N/A		55.0		47.0		+8.0

(a) Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business^® data is seasonally adjusted for Business Activity, New Orders, Prices and Employment. Manufacturing ISM Report On Business^® data is seasonally adjusted for New Orders, Production, Employment, Supplier Deliveries and Inventories.

(b) Number of months moving in current direction

COMMODITIES REPORTED UP / DOWN IN PRICE, and IN SHORT SUPPLY

Commodities Up in Price

Aircraft Fuel (2); Airfares (4); Aluminum Based Products (2); Appliances; Appliance Parts; Asphalt; Asphalt Construction; Asphalt Products; Auto Fuel; Bacon; Baked Goods; Bananas; Bath Tissue; Beef (4); Biomedical Waste Disposal Containers; Bread (2); Bubble Wrap; Car Rentals (3); Carbon Pipe — Seamless; Carpet; Caustic Soda; Cereal; Cheese (2); Chicken; Copier Paper (5); Copper (2); Corrugated Packaging (2); Dairy; Deliveries; Diesel Fuel (9); #1 Diesel Fuel (2); #2 Diesel Fuel (2); Food and Beverage (2); Food Products (2); Freight Charges; Freight Fuel Surcharges; Freight Services; Fuel (17); Fuel Products; Fuel Surcharges (2); Fuel Transportation; Gasoline (10); Gasoline Related (2); Hotels; Medical Supplies (2); Natural Gas; Office and Computer Supplies; Oil Based Products (2); Paper (8); Paper Products (4); Pipe Fittings (2); Plastics (2); Plastic Base Resins; Plastic Can Liners; Plastic Films; Poly Bags; Polyethylene Resins; Roof Felt; Shipping Costs (4); Shipping Surcharges; Soft Drinks; Stainless Steel Products (2); Steel (4); Steel Conduit; Steel Driven Items; Steel Pipe and Fittings; Steel Plate; Steel Products (2); Transportation Costs (2); Transportation Services; and #10 Window Envelopes.

Commodities Down in Price

Cable; Copper Pipe; Electrical Products; and Wire Cable.

Commodities in Short Supply

No commodities are reported short in supply.

Note: The number of consecutive months the commodity is listed is indicated after each item.

JUNE 2008 NON-MANUFACTURING INDEX SUMMARIES

NMI (Non-Manufacturing Index)

Beginning with the January 2008 Non-Manufacturing Report On Business^®, a composite index is now calculated as an indicator of the overall economic condition for the non-manufacturing sector. The NMI is a composite index based on the diffusion indexes for four of the indicators with equal weights: Business Activity (seasonally adjusted), New Orders (seasonally adjusted), Employment (seasonally adjusted) and Supplier Deliveries. June’s NMI at 48.2 percent indicates contraction in the non-manufacturing sector after two consecutive months of growth. A reading above 50 percent indicates the non-manufacturing sector economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates the non-manufacturing sector is generally contracting.

The industries reporting growth in June are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Mining; Educational Services; Construction; Utilities; Information; and Wholesale Trade. The industries reporting contraction in June are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Accommodation & Food Services; Other Services(c); Health Care & Social Assistance; Finance & Insurance; Public Administration; Management of Companies & Support Services; and Retail Trade.

NMI HISTORY

					Month						NMI
					June 2008						48.2
					May 2008						51.7
					April 2008						52.0
					March 2008						49.6
					February 2008						49.3
					January 2008						44.6

Business Activity

ISM’s Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index in June registered 49.9 percent, a decrease of 3.7 percentage points when compared to the 53.6 percent registered in May. Ten industries reported increased business activity, and four industries reported decreased activity for the month of June. Four industries reported no change from May. Comments from respondents include: “Fewer job orders, expressions of interest from prospects/clients”; “Reduced capacity due to fuel prices”; and “Slower booking rate.”

The industries reporting growth of business activity in June are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Mining; Educational Services; Information; Utilities; Construction; Transportation & Warehousing; Wholesale Trade; and Management of Companies & Support Services. The industries reporting decreased business activity in June are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Accommodation & Food Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services.

Business Activity						%Higher					%Same					%Lower					Index
June 2008						28					52					20					49.9
May 2008						32					50					18					53.6
April 2008						29					53					18					50.9
March 2008						30					50					20					52.2

THE LAST 12 MONTHS

					Month						Business Activity Index											Month						Business Activity Index
					June 2008						49.9											Dec 2007						54.4
					May 2008						53.6											Nov 2007						54.6
					Apr 2008						50.9											Oct 2007						55.5
					Mar 2008						52.2											Sep 2007						55.7
					Feb 2008						50.8											Aug 2007						56.3
					Jan 2008						41.9											Jul 2007						55.9
					Average for 12 months – 52.6 High – 56.3 Low – 41.9

New Orders

ISM’s Non-Manufacturing New Orders Index contracted in June after three consecutive months of growth. The index decreased 5 percentage points to 48.6 percent from the 53.6 percent registered in May. Comments from respondents include: “Customer cutbacks”; “Fewer leads or prospects”; and “General slowdown being observed.”

Industries reporting growth of new orders in June are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Construction; Mining; Transportation & Warehousing; Utilities; Management of Companies & Support Services; Educational Services; Finance & Insurance; and Information. The industries reporting contraction of new orders in June are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Accommodation & Food Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; Retail Trade; Wholesale Trade; and Public Administration.

New Orders						%Higher					%Same					%Lower					Index
June 2008						24					55					21					48.6
May 2008						29					56					15					53.6
April 2008						26					57					17					50.1
March 2008						25					52					23					50.2

Employment

Employment activity in the non-manufacturing sector contracted in June for the fifth time in the last six months. ISM’s Non-Manufacturing Employment Index for June registered 43.8 percent. This reflects a decrease of 4.9 percentage points when compared to the 48.7 percent registered in May. Six industries reported increased employment, eight industries reported a decrease, and four industries indicated employment is unchanged from May. Comments from respondents include: “Incremental downsizing”; “Some positions eliminated”; and “We still have a significant number of open positions.”

The industries reporting growth in employment in June are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Information; Utilities; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; and Accommodation & Food Services. The industries reporting a reduction in employment in June are: Other Services(c); Finance & Insurance; Transportation & Warehousing; Health Care & Social Assistance; Management of Companies & Support Services; Public Administration; Educational Services; and Wholesale Trade.

Employment						%Higher					%Same					%Lower					Index
June 2008						13					68					19					43.8
May 2008						18					68					14					48.7
April 2008						22					61					17					50.8
March 2008						14					66					20					46.9

Supplier Deliveries

Supplier deliveries were slower in June, with the index registering 50.5 percent. A reading above 50 percent indicates slower deliveries.

The industries reporting slowing in supplier deliveries in June are: Educational Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; Retail Trade; and Wholesale Trade. The industries reporting faster supplier deliveries in June are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Information; Management of Companies & Support Services; Transportation & Warehousing; Finance & Insurance; and Public Administration.

Supplier Deliveries						%Slower					%Same					%Faster					Index
June 2008						8					85					7					50.5
May 2008						10					82					8					51.0
April 2008						17					78					5					56.0
March 2008						7					84					9					49.0

Inventories

ISM’s Non-Manufacturing Inventories Index registered 53 percent in June, indicating that inventory levels grew for the second consecutive month in June after contracting in April. Of the total respondents in June, 28 percent indicated they do not have inventories or do not measure them. Comments from members include: “Adding critical spare parts” and “Stock up against steel increases.”

The industries reporting increases in inventories in June are: Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Mining; Other Services(c); Retail Trade; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Finance & Insurance; Information; and Health Care & Social Assistance. The industries reporting decreases in inventories in June are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Accommodation & Food Services; Wholesale Trade; Management of Companies & Support Services; and Public Administration.

Inventories						%Higher					%Same					%Lower					Index
June 2008						24					58					18					53.0
May 2008						28					52					20					54.0
April 2008						17					60					23					47.0
March 2008						22					59					19					51.5

Prices

Prices paid by non-manufacturing organizations for purchased materials and services increased in June for the 61st consecutive month. ISM’s Non-Manufacturing Prices Index for June registered 84.5 percent, 7.5 percentage points higher than May’s index of 77 percent. June’s reading is the highest reading for the Prices Index since the Non-Manufacturing report began. In June, the percentage of respondents reporting higher prices is 72 percent, the percentage indicating no change in prices paid is 26 percent, and 2 percent of the respondents reported lower prices.

In June, 17 industries reported an increase in prices paid in the following order: Mining; Construction; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Finance & Insurance; Educational Services; Management of Companies & Support Services; Accommodation & Food Services; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Other Services(c); Wholesale Trade; Public Administration; Utilities; Retail Trade; Transportation & Warehousing; Information; and Health Care & Social Assistance. The one industry reporting no change is Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting. No industry reported a decrease in prices paid.

Prices						%Higher					%Same					%Lower					Index
June 2008						72					26					2					84.5
May 2008						65					34					1					77.0
April 2008						60					38					2					72.1
March 2008						53					45					2					70.8

Backlog of Orders

ISM’s Non-Manufacturing Backlog of Orders Index contracted in June. The index registered 49 percent, the same as reported in May. Of the total respondents in June, 46 percent indicated they do not measure backlog of orders.

The industries reporting an increase in order backlogs in June are: Construction; Information; Accommodation & Food Services; and Wholesale Trade. The industries reporting lower backlog of orders in June are: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Utilities; Other Services(c); Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; and Public Administration.

Backlog of Orders						%Higher					%Same					%Lower					Index
June 2008						14					70					16					49.0
May 2008						16					66					18					49.0
April 2008						15					70					15					50.0
March 2008						14					67					19					47.5

New Export Orders

Orders and requests for services and other non-manufacturing activities to be provided outside of the United States by domestically based personnel indicated growth for the month of June. The New Export Orders Index for June registered 52 percent, compared to May’s index of 54 percent. Of the total respondents in June, 68 percent indicated they either do not perform, or do not separately measure, orders for work outside of the United States.

The industries reporting an increase in new export orders in June are: Information; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; Finance & Insurance; Other Services(c); Wholesale Trade; and Retail Trade. The industries reporting a decrease in export orders in June are: Health Care & Social Assistance; Public Administration; Management of Companies & Support Services; Transportation & Warehousing; and Construction.

New Export Orders						%Higher					%Same					%Lower					Index
June 2008						24					56					20					52.0
May 2008						23					62					15					54.0
April 2008						18					61					21					48.5
March 2008						26					58					16					55.0

Imports

The ISM Non-Manufacturing Imports Index registered 50.5 percent in June. The index is 2.5 percentage points higher than May’s index of 48 percent. In June, 60 percent of respondents reported that they do not use, or do not track, the use of imported materials.

The industries reporting an increase in the use of imports in June are: Information; Arts, Entertainment & Recreation; and Other Services(c). The industries reporting a decrease in imports for the month of June are: Public Administration; Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; and Transportation & Warehousing.

Imports

%Higher