MarketWatch ISM manufacturing index drops to 47.8%; Trump blasts Fed again
The numbers: American manufacturers posted the biggest contraction in September since the end of the 2007-2009 recession, reflecting a slowdown in the U.S. and global economies made worse by a tense trade war with China.
The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index fell to 47.8% last month from 49.1%, marking the lowest level since June 2009. That’s when the Great Recession ended.
Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had forecast the index to total 50.2%.
The sharp decline in the index raised the specter of recession, wiping out early Wall Street gains and sending stocks lower. Readings over 50% signal business conditions are getting better, below 50% indicates they are getting worse.
President Trump quickly took to Twitter to blast the Federal Reserve again, blaming the central bank for keeping U.S. interest rates too high.