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U.S. factory activity contracted in May for a third consecutive month and a gauge of imports fell to a 16-year low as firms pulled back in the face of higher tariffs.

The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index slipped by 0.6 point in February to 50.3, according to data released March 3. Readings above 50 indicate growth.

U.S. manufacturing activity shrank in September for a sixth month, reflecting weak orders and declining employment.

U.S. factory activity unexpectedly expanded in March for the first time since September 2022 on a sharp rebound in production and stronger demand, while input costs climbed.

A measure of U.S. factory activity climbed to a 15-month high in January, fueled by the strongest orders growth since May 2022 and suggesting manufacturing is starting to stabilize.

U.S. manufacturing activity continued to cool in July as more factories dialed back production in the face of shrinking orders and rising inventories.

A measure of U.S. manufacturing activity weakened in June to a two-year low as new orders contracted, restrained by lingering supply constraints and some softening in demand.

Persistent supply chain challenges continued to weigh on U.S. manufacturers in October, lengthening supplier delivery times and bloating a measure of inventories.

U.S. manufacturing improved again in July with a key gauge of activity rising further into expansion territory.

WASHINGTON — U.S. manufacturing output dropped for the third straight month in October as trade tensions and a slowing global economy took a toll on American factories.