Manufacturing activity in the United States fell unexpectedly in April, while price pressures remain strong, shows the monthly survey from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) published Wednesday.
The ISM manufacturing index stood at 49.2, compared to 50.3 in March. Economists polled by Reuters expected an average of 50.0 in April.
The 50 mark separates contraction and growth in activity.
The new orders subindex rose to 49.1 in April from 51.4 the previous month, while the index of prices paid by manufacturers strengthened significantly to 60.9 from 55.8 the month before. precedent and a consensus of 55.0.
Employment in factories, for its part, fell to 48.6 in April after 51.4 in March.
(Written by Corentin Chappron, edited by Jean Terzian)