The Global Purchasing Index fell in November, but remained well above the 100-point mark indicating economic optimism among purchasing professionals nationwide. The index registered nearly 122 during the month compared to a reading of nearly 123 in October. A reading above 100 indicates optimism among purchasing managers; a reading below 100 indicates pessimism.Conducted monthly, Global Purchasing’s GPI surveys a panel of 100 purchasing managers to gauge their business outlook, asking questions about pricing, inventories, lead times, purchasing trends, and customer orders. In November, panel members reported a decrease in customer orders, an increase in inventory levels, and noted that lead times remained steady during the month. They also said they made fewer purchases in November and that they paid higher prices for electronic components compared to October.In general, panel members pointed to a winding down of 2014 and an anticipated uptick in the New Year. “Business has been typically flat due to falloff of seasonal demand and Q4 asset reduction,” one panel member said. “Schedules for Q1 2015 are up.” New Orders, Inventories Up Purchasing managers reported receiving fewer orders from customers compared to October, with the new orders index falling about 1% to a reading of 2.23. Despite the decline, the new orders index remains strong after jumping 10% in September and increasing slightly in October. Inventories continued to climb following a considerable drop earlier in the fall. In September, the GPI inventories index fell 7%, indicating companies had fewer supplies on hand. The inventories index shot back up in October, rising 7% to 2.2 and increasing slightly this month, to 2.23.