The ISM Prices Index registered 58% in September 2012, which is an increase of 4 percentage points compared to August 2012, and follows a 14.5 percentage point increase in August 2012 compared to July 2012. In September 2012, 27% of respondents reported paying higher prices, 11% reported paying lower prices and 62% of supply executives reported paying the same prices as in August 2012.
A Prices Index above 49.4%, over time, is generally consistent with an increase in the Bureau of Labor Statistics Index of Manufacturers Prices.
Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 10 reported paying increased prices during the month of September 2012 in the following order: Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Printing & Related Support Activities; Wood Products; Chemical Products; Primary Metals; Furniture & Related Products; Machinery; Fabricated Metal Products and Miscellaneous Manufacturing.
The four industries reporting paying lower prices during September 2012 are: Paper Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; Computer & Electronic Products; and Non metallic Mineral Products.
| Prices | % Higher | % Same | % Lower | Net | Index |
| Sep '12 | 27 | 62 | 11 | 16 | 58 |
| Aug '12 | 23 | 62 | 15 | 8 | 54 |
| Jul '12 | 11 | 57 | 32 | -21 | 39.5 |
| Jun '12 | 7 | 60 | 33 | -26 | 37 |
Source - Institute for Supply Management
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