Forestry-Related Industry Performance–November 2012

Overall, the Manufacturing sector contracted in November to its lowest level since July 2009, whereas the Service sector expanded for the 35^th consecutive month. The Performance Manufacturing Index (PMI) registered 49.5%, a 2.2% decrease from October.

Below the manufacturing economy breakeven line of 50 indicates the manufacturing sector is contracting. This weak performance was due to the impact of Hurricane Sandy, which closed down the East Coast on October 29. Among the sub-indices, only production grew at a faster rate. Both employment and prices grew slowly.

The Paper Products industry reported growth in November with an expansion of new orders, production, employment, backlog of orders, and exports. In contrast, the Wood Products industry continued to tread water; production increased though employment, inventories and backlog of orders all contracted (see table).

The Non-Manufacturing Index (NMI) registered 54.7% in November, 0.5% higher than October (any reading above 50 is considered expansion). Although the service sector expanded at a slower rate, November marks its 35^th consecutive month of growth. The New Orders index grew at a faster rate than it did in October, while the Employment, Price, and Imports indices grew at a slower rate.

Among non-manufacturing industries, the growth of Ag & Forestry, Real Estate, and Construction industries ranked first, fourth, and seventh among service sector industries this month (see table).