Investing.com - A closely-watched gauge of US manufacturing fell in March, according to a business survey released on Monday.
The Institute of Supply Management’s purchasing managers' index fell to 59.3, compared to forecasts for a reading of 60.1.
The prior month’s reading was 60.8.
The new orders index fell to 61.9 in March from 64.2 a month earlier.
The employment index dropped to 57.3 last month from the prior 59.7. Economists had predicted a decline to 54.5.
The prices paid index unexpectedly increased to 78.1 in March, from the previous reading of 74.2. Analysts had forecast the reading to drop to 72.6.