Published March 2, 2015 10:02am EST | Updated May 21, 2015 1:25pm EDT

ISM Manufacturing Gauge Slows To 52.9% In February

The key Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing index edged down to a reading of 52.9% from 53.5% in January. Economists polled by MarketWatch expected a reading of 52.8%. One disappointment element was that the employment index of the ISM slowed to 51.4% from 54.1%. The new orders index eased to 52.5% from 52.9%. Any reading above 50% indicates improving conditions.