US Manufacturing Activity Contracts for a Sixth Straight Month.

US manufacturing activity contracted for the sixth consecutive month in September, with weak orders and declining employment being the main factors. The Institute for Supply Management's factory gauge remained at 47.2, indicating contraction. The rates of decline for orders and output improved slightly but remained in contraction territory. The report also highlighted that subdued demand, including from overseas customers, helped reduce price pressures on materials and inputs. The survey was conducted prior to a strike at East and Gulf coast ports, which could push up shipping costs and import prices. [Extracted from the article]