The Institute for Supply Management’s non-manufacturing index is an unloved instrument. When at its highs it means that the United States creates nothing, and just pushes around paper and capital. When shrinking, it means not even that ability will save the economy from a catering disaster.

The Institute for Supply Management’s non-manufacturing index, which covers almost 90 percent of the economy, dropped to 44.4, weaker than forecast and the lowest level since records began in 1997, the Tempe, Arizona-based group said today. A reading of 50 is the dividing line between growth and contraction. Other reports showed job losses climbed.

That’s not pretty. We hear there are jobs to be had at the IRS however.

ISM Services Index in U.S. Slumped to Record Low
[Bloomberg]

Sign up for the Dealbreaker newsletter

Subscribe to our free daily email and get breaking news, financial headlines, commentary, and analysis from Dealbreaker.

— Advertisement —

Comments (6)

  1. Posted by guest | November 5, 2008 at 11:32 AM

    ADI Altenative Investments-France
    What is going on there? Hm???
    News this week that may leave several job openings.

  2. Posted by guest | November 5, 2008 at 11:43 AM

    Just more unpatriotic negativism from liberals who hate America, and the troops.

  3. Posted by guest | November 5, 2008 at 11:47 AM

    The ISM is irrelevant

  4. Posted by guest | November 5, 2008 at 12:13 PM

    why

  5. Posted by guest | November 5, 2008 at 1:20 PM

    I had a catering disaster once. It was my daughter’s baptism. Bad chicken salad. Not a pretty sight. I’m a little unclear on what that has to do with the ISM, though.

  6. Posted by vbierschwale | November 5, 2008 at 5:40 PM

    Don’t bet on it..
    I tried to get work there once so that I could work off what I owed them..
    Never even heard from them.
    Folks, all that is necessary to turn our economy around is to give me names to add to the “Wall of Shame” list at http://www.KeepAmericaAtWork.com and then pester the hell out of the CEO’s on that list until they bring our jobs home and then things will straighten out..
    Yep, I’m well aware that you’ve all bought into the rumor that states that the people who’s job has been outsourced will find better or similar paying jobs.
    I’m here to tell you that this is not true and I’m willing to send you documents showing my lifetime earnings from 76 till now to document it.
    Now if you really want to buy into the rumor about the jobs being place, then demand to see the data documenting it.
    Yep, just what I thought.
    It doesnt exist.
    If you want retailers to start selling again and manufacturers to start buying raw materials then you need to put our people back to work because they will start buying and your manufacturers will start hiring and the new people will start buying and manufacturing will increase..
    It really is that simple.
    Virgil
    http://www.KeepAmericaAtWork.com

Leave a comment

You can log in with your account or comment as a guest below.