The October Manufacturing Institute for Supply Management Report on Business was released today, and you had your pick of headlines. There was this from BusinessWeek online:
Manufacturing sector grows at slower pace
On the other hand, there was this, from Reuters:
US Treasuries fall on strong ISM factor survey
Here's the complete news, from MarketWatch via FXStreet.com:
Factory activity in the United States slowed a bit in October after a strong increase in the previous month, the Institute for Supply Management reported Tuesday. The ISM index inched lower to 59.1% in October from 59.4% in September. The decline was not as steep as expected. The consensus forecast of estimates collected by Marketwatch was for the index to slip to 57.2%. The index had jumped from 53.6 in August. Readings above 50 indicate expansion. New orders fell to 61.7% in October from 63.8% in September. The employment index rose to 55% from 53.1%. The price index soared to 84% from 78%. This is the highest price level since May 2004
In the end, nothing to change anyone's mind, one way or the other.