national association of purchasing management houston inc po box 35698 texas 77235 napm business report january 10 2003 by douglas r miller cpm 713 988 7306 copyright all rights reserved economy weaker job losses increasing production falls for 4th month the became noticeably in december as measured pmi managers index was below breakeven point 50 third time past four months reading 47 9 after november had improved and reflected modest economic growth at 7 most obvious composition disappointing employment component which fell from 04 to 15 thirty days this marks 15th consecutive area loss rate steepest decline since april year over last five drooping appeared moderate seemed toward leveling possibly a movement into territory s acceleration has cast serious doubt on that upward trend even if approaching end
