Purchasing Managers Index Shoots Up Again By Tony Crescenzi About this article: The Institute for Supply Management's monthly purchasing managers index increased for a fifth straight month in May to 42.8 from 40.1 in April. The low for the cycle was 32.9 in December, which was the lowest since June 1980. The current level is above the 41.2 threshold the ISM says historically has signified the dividing line between growth and contraction in the overall economy. A reading below 50.0 indicates contraction in the factory sector but not the overall economy. Leading indicators within the ISM index were positive. In particular, the new orders index, which accounts for 30% of the ISM index, increased to 51.1 from 47.2 in April, its first reading above 50.0 since November 2007 and its highest since then. The increase indicates that production levels will increase in the time ahead and there is already movement toward such, as evidenced by the production... Or, call us at 1-866-321-TSCM (8726) Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. ET. Outside the U.S. and in Canada, call 1-212-321-5200.

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