Financial News: U.S. Manufacturing Index Edges Down Less Than Expected

U.S. Manufacturing Index Edges Down Less Than Expected In February

03/02/2026 - 10:36:00 (RTTNews)

(RTTNews) - The Institute for Supply Management released a report on Monday showing a slight slowdown in the pace of growth in U.S. manufacturing activity in the month of February.

The ISM said its manufacturing PMI edged down to 52.4 in February after surging to 52.6 in January, but a reading above 50 still indicates growth. Economists had expected the index to dip to 51.8.

The modest pullback by the headline index partly reflected slowdowns in the pace of growth by production and new orders.

The production index slid to 53.5 in February from 55.9 in January, while the new orders index fell to 55.8 in February from 57.1 in January.

Meanwhile, the ISM said the employment index crept up to 48.8 in February from 48.1 in January, although the reading below 50 still indicates a loss of jobs.

"45 percent of panelists still indicate that managing head counts is the norm at their companies as opposed to hiring," said Susan Spence, Chair of the ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

The report also said the prices index spiked to 70.5 in February from 59.0 in January, reaching its highest reading since June 2022.

On Wednesday, the ISM is scheduled to release a separate report on service sector activity in the month of February. The services PMI is expected to edge down to 53.6 in February from 53.8 in January.

For comments and feedback: contact editorial@rttnews.com

Market News provided by RTTNews

RECENT INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL NEWS

China Industrial Output, Retail Sales Growth Beats Expectations (02 hr(s), 23 min(s), 05 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - China's industrial production and retail sales growth exceeded expectations in the ...Full Story»

China Industrial Output Rises More Than Forecast (56 min(s), 55 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - China's industrial production and retail sales increased more than expected in the ...Full Story»

China Data On Tap For Monday (05 min(s), 55 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - China is scheduled to release a batch of data on Monday, highlighting an otherwise lig ...Full Story»

New Zealand Services Sector Slips Into Contraction - BusinessNZ (43 min(s), 55 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The services sector in New Zealand dropped into contraction territory in February, the ...Full Story»

U.S. Consumer Sentiment Dips In March Due To Middle East Conflict (39 min(s), 55 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - Reflecting the conflict in the Middle East and the subsequent jump in gas prices, the ...Full Story»

U.S. Job Openings Increase More Than Expected In January (36 min(s), 55 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The Labor Department released a report on Friday showing job openings in the U.S. incr ...Full Story»

U.S. Economy Grows Much Less Than Previously Estimated In Q4 (33 min(s), 55 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - U.S. economic growth slowed by much more than previously estimated in the fourth quart ...Full Story»

U.S. Durable Goods Orders Unexpectedly Flat In January (31 min(s), 55 sec(s) ago)
(RTTNews) - The Commerce Department released a report on Friday showing new orders for U.S. manufa ...Full Story»