July US Markit manufacturing flash PMI 53.2 vs 52.5 exp

U.S. July flash factory PMI rises to 4-month high 

The U.S. flash manufacturing purchasing managers' index rose to a 53.2 reading in July from 51.9 in June, Markit said Wednesday. This is the highest level in four months. Details of the report were strong as new orders and employment increased. "The U.S. manufacturing sector picked up momentum again in July, with output orders books and employment all growing," said Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit. "The pace of manufacturing growth nevertheless remains well below that seen at the start of the year, in part reflecting weaker demand from many export markets, notably China and other emerging economies," he said. The Market index is similar in design to the Institute for Supply Management manufacturing index, which will be released in one week. The Markit index has been higher than the ISM factory index in 22 of the past 24 months. The last reading for the ISM index was 50.9.