Buyers in the electronics supply chain remained upbeat in August, as the Global Purchasing Index registered 114.05, a 0.4% drop compared to revised figures for July, but still above the 100-point mark indicating economic optimism. Buyers cited steady business activity across the board, with some saying they anticipate growth in new orders in September.
The new orders index registered 2.11 for the month, indicating steady conditions with little change compared to July.
“We continue to get new orders from our customers, and new quotes from potential customers are many,” another panelist commented. “It appears the market is continuing to improve. At least from a buyers view.”
Others cited general growth, with the exception of oil industry customers, and pointed to steady growth through the typically slower summer months.
The GPI inventories index registered 2.08, also indicating that buyers are seeing similar inventory levels to previous months. The electronic components purchases index rose to 2.05 from a reading of 1.97 in July, indicating that purchasing activity leveled off after falling slightly in July. The prices and lead times indexes remained relatively stable, with the prices index registering 2.16, down 0.04% compared to July, and the lead times index registering 2.3, up 0.03% compared to July. Readings in the 2% range generally indicate stable conditions.
The GPI for July was revised down to 114.52, a drop of more than 1% compared to June.
The August GPI report came on the heels of similar news from the Institute for Supply Management, which released its Report on Business September 1. ISM reported that its Purchasing Managers Index registered 51.1% in August, a decline of 1.6% compared to July, but still above the 50-point mark indicated growth in the manufacturing economy. This marked the 32nd straight month of growth in the manufacturing sector and the 75th consecutive month of growth in the overall economy, ISM reported.
ISM pointed to growth in new orders, production, and employment along with a slowdown in supplier deliveries and contracting inventory levels.
The monthly Global Purchasing Index measures optimism among buyers at original equipment manufacturing (OEM), contract manufacturing (CM), and electronics manufacturing services providers (EMS). A reading above 100 indicates optimism, and a reading below 100 indicates pessimism. The GPI measures business activity in five areas: new orders, inventory levels, electronic component purchases, prices, and lead times.
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