ISM Manufacturing PMI Hits 54.5% in September; Employment Index Rises

NewsData.io · United States · Oct 1, 2026

The ISM Manufacturing PMI registered 54.5% in September 2026, marking the ninth consecutive month of expansion in the manufacturing sector and the 23rd straight month of overall economic growth. The Employment Index climbed 1.5 percentage points to 52.7%, signaling continued hiring growth, while the Prices Index surged 6.8 points to 77.9%, reflecting mounting cost pressures tied to tariffs, the Iran war, and supply chain disruptions. New Orders remained in expansion at 55.3% and customer inventories stayed in 'too low' territory, which typically signals future production increases. Staffing firms serving manufacturing clients can expect sustained demand for production and skilled trades workers, though pricing volatility and geopolitical uncertainty may temper client confidence.