ISM Manufacturing Index for United States: 52.9
Consistent with our forecast for a rebound in both manufacturing and the broader economy this quarter, the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index increased 4 points to 52.9 in August. The larger than expected increase puts the index 10.3 points above its second quarter average and above its expansionary threshold of 50 for the first time since January 2008. The details are supportive for future growth as the economy begins to climb out of the deepest recession since the 1930s