ISM report shows further contraction in manufacturing activity
New data released on Monday showed a mixed reading on manufacturing sector activity in May.
The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing PMI indicated that the manufacturing sector contracted further in May, while a measure from S&P Global showed that manufacturing activity grew more than initially expected in May.
The ISM manufacturing PMI recorded a reading of 48.7 in May, down from a reading of 49.2 and lower than the 49.5 expected by economists, according to Bloomberg data.
“U.S. manufacturing activity continued to contract after expanding in March, the first expansion in the sector since September 2022,” Timothy Fiore, chair of the ISM Manufacturing Survey Committee, said in the release. of the company. “Demand was again weak, production was stable and inputs remained accommodative.”
Fiore added: “Demand remains elusive as companies demonstrate a reluctance to invest due to current monetary policy and other conditions.”
The manufacturing PMI released Monday by S&P Global showed that US manufacturing activity rose to 51.3, up from 50.9 previously, while new orders in the sector returned to growth.