- PMI signals strongest manufacturing expansion since March - New orders increase strongly and at fastest pace in six months - Solid rise in employment, after stagnating in June Summary The final Markit U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI™) 1 signalled the strongest manufacturing expansion in four months during July. At 53.7, up from an eight-month low of 51.9 in June and above the earlier flash estimate of 53.2, the PMI suggested a solid improvement in overall manufacturing business conditions. Incoming new work at U.S. manufacturing companies increased further in July, with firms generally ... (full story)