US manufacturing edges up in may, growth sluggish

U.S. Manufacturing rose slightly in May, a survey showed Monday, though the pace was still sluggish, which suggests the sector may be a drag on the economy in the second quarter. Financial data firm Markit said its final Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) rose to 52.3 in May from 52.1 in April, which was better than the preliminary reading of 51.9. A reading above 50 indicates expansion. Growth in output eased for the third straight month, with the sub-index slipping to 52.7 from 53.7, while the pace of hiring in the sector fell to a six-month low. “The survey paints a downbeat picture of manufacturing business conditions. Output, order books, and employment are all growing modestly, suggesting the sector is at risk of stalling,” said Chris Williamson, Markit chief economist. The gauge of new orders from domestic clients rose to 53.3 from 51.5, which helped the main index improve slightly on April’s result. That also helped make up for a decline in overseas orders, which fell for the first time in three months. Williamson said slower growth in the factory sector was likely to contribute to weaker economic growth in the second quarter. The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing purchasing managers index for April showed that the sector’s growth had slowed. The May report, due later Monday, was expected to show the sector remained sluggish. Consumer spending also fell in April for the first time in nearly a year and price pressures were subdued, suggesting that the Federal Reserve may have to maintain its monetary stimulus. The Markit index found that goods-producing firms reported higher input prices in May, though the rate of increase remained much weaker than that seen at the start of the year. Output charges rose modestly on the month.