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US PMI at six-month low as new order growth slows sharply in April
At 52.1 in April, down from 54.6 in March, the final Markit U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index™ ( PMI™ ) 1 signalled the weakest manufacturing expansion in six months. The PMI fell to its sharpest degree since June 2010 and was consistent with only a modest improvement in overall business conditions. Although manufacturers received a larger volume of new work in April, linked to new product launches as well as new contract wins, the overall rise was modest and much weaker than seen in March. The corresponding index fell almo st four points over the month, signalling the weakest rate of new order ... (full story)