Economic activity in the US manufacturing sector contracted in September, and the overall economy grew for the 125th consecutive month, according to the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.
The September PMI registered 47.8 percent, a decrease of 1.3 percentage points from the August reading of 49.1 percent.
The New Orders Index registered 47.3 percent, an increase of 0.1 percentage point from the August reading of 47.2 percent.
The Production Index registered 47.3 percent, a 2.2-percentage point decrease compared to the August reading of 49.5 percent.
The Employment Index registered 46.3 percent, a decrease of 1.1 percentage points from the August reading of 47.4 percent.
The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 51.1 percent, a 0.3-percentage point decrease from the August reading of 51.4 percent.
The Inventories Index registered 46.9 percent, a decrease of 3 percentage points from the August reading of 49.9 percent.
The Prices Index registered 49.7 percent, a 3.7-percentage point increase from the August reading of 46 percent.
The New Export Orders Index registered 41 percent, a 2.3-percentage point decrease from the August reading of 43.3 percent.
The Imports Index registered 48.1 percent, a 2.1-percentage point increase from the August reading of 46 percent.
Of the 18 manufacturing industries, three reported growth in September: miscellaneous manufacturing; food, beverage and tobacco products; and chemical products.
The 15 industries reporting contraction in September, in the following order, are: apparel, leather and allied products; printing and related support activities; wood products; electrical equipment, appliances and components; textile mills; paper products; fabricated metal products; plastics and rubber products; petroleum and coal products; primary metals; transportation equipment; nonmetallic mineral products; machinery; furniture and related products; and computer and electronic products.