ISM's New Export Orders Index registered 48.5% in September 2012, which is 1.5 percentage points higher than the 47% reported in August 2012 and represents the fourth month of contraction in the index since June 2009, when the index registered 49.5%. Prior to this current four month period of contraction, the New Export Orders Index had registered 50% or above for the past 35 consecutive months.
The seven industries reporting growth in new export orders in September 2012 listed in order are: Non metallic Mineral Products; Primary Metals; Fabricated Metal Products; Petroleum & Coal Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Chemical Products and Computer & Electronic Products.
The eight industries reporting a decrease in new export orders during September 2012 listed in order are: Wood Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Furniture & Related Products; Transportation Equipment; Machinery; Paper Products; Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products and Apparel, Leather & Allied Products.
| New Export Orders | % Reporting | % Higher | % Same | % Lower | Net | Index |
| Sep '12 | 77 | 15 | 67 | 18 | -3 | 48.5 |
| Aug '12 | 77 | 13 | 68 | 19 | -6 | 47 |
| Jul '12 | 77 | 10 | 73 | 17 | -7 | 46.5 |
| Jun '12 | 78 | 15 | 65 | 20 | -5 | 47.5 |
Source - Institute for Supply Management
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