ISM’s Backlog of Orders Index registered 45 percent in July, which is 4 percentage points lower than the 49 percent reported in June. Of the 81 percent of respondents who reported their backlog of orders, 16 percent reported greater backlogs, 26 percent reported smaller backlogs, and 58 percent reported no change from June.

The four industries reporting increased order backlogs in July are: Petroleum & Coal Products; Paper Products; Furniture & Related Products; and Computer & Electronic Products. The nine industries reporting decreases in order backlogs during July — listed in order — are: Apparel, Leather & Allied Products; Miscellaneous Manufacturing; Nonmetallic Mineral Products; Plastics & Rubber Products; Machinery; Transportation Equipment; Fabricated Metal Products; Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components; and Chemical Products.