The June manufacturing PMI showed that the industrial sector continued to expand last month, albeit at a slower pace than in May.
The Institute for Supply Management reported a manufacturing PMI of 53.3%, the sixth consecutive reading above 50%, reflecting expansion, but 0.7 percentage points below May's level.
The ISM's report also found increases in production and new orders, but contraction in employment and increasing prices.
"The conflict in Iran has impacted pricing in every category of raw materials," one survey respondent from a chemical product manufacturing told the ISM, "especially items that have a heavy concentration of oil in the components like our adhesives."
"Conditions are optimistic but not yet booming for our company," added another in machinery production, "even though many others, it seems, are experiencing growth."
Most industry subcategories reported growth last month; only three of 14 — paper, wood and furniture — posted contraction.
