US Factory Activity Contracts for a Sixth Month, ISM Data Show
- Manufacturing index edged up to 47.1 in April from 46.3
- Measure of prices paid rose 4 points to highest since July
This article is for subscribers only.
US factory activity contracted for a sixth-straight month in April, the longest such stretch since 2009 and a sign of lingering malaise in manufacturing.
The Institute for Supply Management’s gauge of factory activity rose to 47.1 from an almost three-year low of 46.3 a month earlier, according to data released Monday. A reading below 50 indicates shrinking activity.