The American Institute for International Steel (AIIS) report that the ISM index for all manufacturing in the USA came in at 56.2% for September, an increase of 0.5% from August.
Comments related to steel markets (identified in brackets) included:
− Overall business is flat to down across the board (Machinery);
− Housing continues to improve, resulting in improved conditions for our steel demand;
− Steady increase in work this month (Primary Metals);
− Overall business is picking up (Transportation Equipment)
− Outlook remains strong with housing market and customer orders (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)
Some of the other indices in the ISM system showed mixed results. New orders decreased by 2.7% in September while production and employment increased. The employment index posted its highest report for the year.
