India, March 3 -- A report released by the Institute for Supply Management on Monday showed its reading on U.S. manufacturing edged slightly lower in February, although the index still indicated growth in the sector for the second straight month.
The ISM said its manufacturing PMI slipped to 50.3 in February after rising to 50.9 in January, but a reading above 50 still indicates growth. Economists had expected the index to dip to 50.5.
The modest decrease by the headline index partly reflected a notable downturn by new orders, as the new orders index slumped to 48.6 in February from 55.1 in January.
The production index also fell to 50.7 in February from 52.5 in January, while the employment index slid to 47.6 in February from 50.3 in Ja...