The Institute for Supply Management's Manufacturing PMI registered 54.5% in September, down from 54.6% in August. Readings above 50% indicate expansion; the sector has grown for 9 consecutive months.
New orders rose to 55.3% from 53.7%, production fell to 56.7% from 58.3%, employment rose to 52.7% from 51.2% and the prices index rose to 77.9% from 71.1%.
Furniture and nonmetallic mineral products were among the industries reporting growth; wood products reported a decline in new orders in September.
In the services sector, the ISM Services PMI fell to 54.9% in September from 55.4% in August; real estate was among the industries reporting growth, while construction was among the industries reporting contraction.