September U.S. flash manufacturing stays at 51.5
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Markit said its U.S. flash manufacturing purchasing managers index remained at 51.5 in September, as a slight acceleration in new orders and employment were balanced by a reduction in output. Readings above 50 indicate expansion. The PMI averaged 51.5 in the three months to September, down from 54.2 in the three months to June, pointing to the weakest quarterly performance since the third quarter of 2009. Earlier, Markit reported euro-zone flash manufacturing PMI rose to 46.0 from 45.1 in August, and the HSBC Markit flash China manufacturing PMI edged up to 47.8 from 47.6 in August.