TEMPE, AZ – Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in July for the 24th consecutive month, says the Institute for Supply Management.

The PMI was 50.9%, down 4.4 percentage points, while new orders fell 2.4 points to 49.2%. Production was 52.3%, down 2.2 percentage points, and inventories fell 4.8 points to 49.3%. Customer inventories dropped 3 percentage points to 44%, and backlogs decreased 4 points to 45%.

“The PMI registered 50.9%, a decrease of 4.4 percentage points, indicating expansion in the manufacturing sector for the 24th consecutive month, although at a slower rate of growth than in June. Production and employment also showed continued growth in July, but at slower rates than in June. The New Orders Index registered 49.2%, indicating contraction for the first time since June of 2009, when it registered 48.9%. The rate of increase in prices slowed for the third consecutive month, dropping 9 percentage points in July to 59%. In the last three months combined, the Prices Index has declined by 26.5 percentage points, dropping from 85.5% in April to 59% in July. Despite relief in pricing, however, several comments suggest a slowdown in domestic demand in the short term, while export orders continue to remain strong," said Bradley J. Holcomb, chair of ISM.

The overall economy grew for the 26th consecutive month, says the firm.