Manufacturing expands for fourth month, but price increases remain a concern

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Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April for the fourth consecutive month, despite the war in Iran and rising prices, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s latest Purchasing Manager’s Index.

ISM’s index registered 52.7% in April, the same as in March. The overall economy continued expansion for the 18th month in a row. A PMI index below 50% indicates an industry in contraction.

The S&P Global US Manfacturing PMI showed a slightly higher rate of expansion, registering 54.5, up from 52.3 in March.

“Overall sentiment is down slightly” due to concerns about tariffs and the war in Iran, Susan Spence, chair of ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, said during a media call on Friday.