Lowest since Dec 2022
Prior was 51.4

Key details:

Employment 45.9 vs 48.5 prior
New orders 52.2 vs 54.4 last month
Prices paid 59.2 vs 53.4 last month

Other components:

Inventories 53.7 vs 45.6 last month
Supplier deliveries 48.5 versus 45.4 last month
Backlog of orders 51.1 versus 44.8 last month
New export orders 47.9 versus 52.7 last month.
Imports 53.6 versus 52.4 last month
Inventory sentiment 62.9 versus 55.7 last month

The prior report saw a big drop in the prices paid component so I don’t view the rebound as a big shock as it goes back to where it’s spent most of the past year. In addition, inflation is a lagging indicator while demand is a leading indicator. This is the lowest ISM services since Dec 2022 and the third month in a row of a declining index.

Comments in the report:

“Steady improvement toward lower costs in food and beverages;
however, avian bird flu may affect pricing moving forward. Already
seeing increases in chicken and eggs. In the technology space, prices
are not decreasing but holding steady.” [Accommodation & Food
Services]
“Movie production is recovering, which should increase volume in
movie theaters in the second half of 2024.” [Arts, Entertainment &
Recreation]
“Although it varies by global region, we’re starting to see market
softening in terms of price and lead time stability. That bidders are
providing reasonable bid validities is an indication that much of the
supply chain is coming into supply and demand equilibrium. Electrical
equipment remains the outlier.” [Construction]
“Inflation is raising our unit cost on products and services when compared to last year’s expenditures.” [Public Administration]
“Continue to be challenged with inflationary pressure through labor
and service cost increases, but we are working hard at finding
utilization savings to offset where possible.” [Health Care & Social
Assistance]
“Business remains soft.” [Information]
“We are still experiencing supply chain challenges with increased
costs of raw materials, particularly chemicals and their containers, as
well as higher U.S. and overseas freight transportation costs. A
containers shortage has increased costs and slowed down the supply
chain.” [Management of Companies & Support Services]
“Steady demand has been favorable during this traditionally slower
season. Pricing is stable and the supply chain is strong. Employee
recruitment and retention has been a challenge in some areas; however,
the situation isn’t critical.” [Retail Trade]
“Construction, administrative and technical/scientific labor are in
high demand. Long lead times for brass plumbing fittings and electrical
equipment and components.” [Utilities]
“The overall market has definitely slowed down. Our business is up
year over year and month over month; based on our advanced analytics, we
know that growth is coming from new customers. This means we are taking
market share from our competitors.” [Wholesale Trade]