MW: U.S. ISM manufacturing falls to 56.5% in February
By Rex Nutting
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The expansion at U.S. manufacturing firms remained very broad based in February, according to the Institute of Supply Management's survey released Monday. The ISM index fell to 56.5% in February from 58.4% in January. Readings over 50% indicate more firms said business was improving than said it was worsening. The new orders index dropped to 59.5% from 65.9%, the production index fell to 58.4% from 66.2%, while the employment index rose to 56.1% from 53.3%. Economists were expecting the ISM index to fall to 57.5% in February.
