by Calculated Risk on 5/01/2013 10:00:00 AM

The ISM manufacturing index indicated expansion in April. The PMI was at 50.7% in April, down from 51.3% in March. The employment index was at 50.2%, down from 54.2%, and the new orders index was at 52.3%, up from 51.4% in March.

From the Institute for Supply Management: April 2013 Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April for the fifth consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 47th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®.

The report was issued today by Bradley J. Holcomb, CPSM, CPSD, chair of the Institute for Supply Management™ Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "The PMI™ registered 50.7 percent, a decrease of 0.6 percentage point from March's reading of 51.3 percent, indicating expansion in manufacturing for the fifth consecutive month, but at the lowest rate of the year. The New Orders Index increased in April by 0.9 percentage point to 52.3 percent, and the Production Index increased by 1.3 percentage points to 53.5 percent. The Employment Index registered 50.2 percent, a decrease of 4 percentage points compared to March's reading of 54.2 percent. The Prices Index registered 50 percent, decreasing 4.5 percentage points from March, indicating that overall raw materials prices remained unchanged from last month. Comments from the panel indicate a range of strong/steady growth, to flat/declining volumes, depending upon the particular industry."

Click on graph for larger image.

Here is a long term graph of the ISM manufacturing index.

This was below expectations of 51.0% and suggests manufacturing expanded at a slower pace in April.