The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) PMI index ticked down -0.2 in July, but remained in positive territory at 52.8 indicating continued (although slowing) growth for manufacturing across the U.S. (a reading above 50 is consistent with expansion). Although this is the lowest reading since June 2020 at the height of the first pandemic shutdown, it beat consensus estimates of 52.0 for July. According to ISM, βThe U.S. manufacturing sector continues expanding β though slightly less so in July β as new order rates continue to contract, supplier deliveries improve and prices soften to acceptable levels.β See the full report here.