US Manufacturing Sector Shrinks at a Faster Pace: ISM

2025-11-03 15:05 By Joana Taborda 1 min. read

The ISM US Manufacturing PMI fell to 48.7 in October 2025 from 49.1 in September, below market forecasts of 49.5, indicating an eighth consecutive month of contraction in the manufacturing sector.

Production shrank (48.2 vs 51) and further contractions were also seen in new orders (49.4 vs 48.9), inventories (45.8 vs 47.7) and backlog of orders (47.9 vs 46.2).

Employment continued to decline (46 vs 45.3), with 67% of panelists indicating that managing head count is still the norm at their companies, as opposed to hiring.

Meanwhile, price pressures eased (58 vs 61.9) while the supplier deliveries index indicated slower delivery performance for the third consecutive month (54.2 vs 52.6).

"Of the six largest manufacturing industries, only two (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; and Transportation Equipment) expanded in October,” said Susan Spence, Chair of the ISM.



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