The July Markit Flash U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI™ ) 1 indicated the weakest improvement in U.S. manufacturing sector business conditions in 19 months, according to the preliminary ‘flash’ reading which is based on around 85% of usual monthly replies. At 51.8, down from 52.5 in June, the headline index was the second-lowest since the manufacturing recovery was first signalled by the PMI in late-2009 (only December 2010 saw a weaker PMI reading). since September 2009. The rise in total new work generally reflected greater domestic demand, as new export orders fell for the second month running, ... (full story)