ISM-New York Febuary 2014 Report on Business

MELVILLE, N.Y. - March 4, 2014 - PRLog -- New York City business activity eased to the lowest reading in five months, according to the survey taken by the Institute for Supply Management-New York (ISM-New York).

Current Business Conditions came in at 57.0 in February and indicated the slowest rate of expansion since last summer.  However, the moderation in the headline index may be temporary.

Future optimism vaulted to the highest level since 2010.  The Six-Month Outlook was 76.3 in February.  In the past, the Outlook index has proved to be reliable guide for the future path of the Current Business Conditions index.

Job growth entered uncharted territory.  Employment rose to 65.7 in February, the highest reading recorded since the inception of this sub-index in late-2007.

Purchase volume improved to a 12-month high.  Quantity of Purchases increased to 60.0 in February.

Prices Paid hit a three-year high of 66.7 in February.  Input costs have become more and more pervasive, so much so that the six-month winning streak for the Prices Paid index was the longest in the history of the Report on Business.

The pulse quickened for both the top line and forward guidance for the top line.  Current Revenues were 72.5 in February, and Expected Revenues were 75.0 in February.

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February’s Question of the Month: In your opinion, what are your 2014 capital spending plans compared to 2013?

         2014       2013       2012       2011       2010

Higher       55%       31%       20%       44%       19%

Steady      36%         41%       43%       35%       44%

Lower         5%         25%       23%       21%       37%

DK          5%          3%       14%       NA         NA

(numbers may not add to 100% due to rounding; DK=don’t know)

For a complete copy of our report, visit our website at http://www.ismny.org.