US ISM Manufacturing PMI drops to 46.5 in October vs. 47.6 expected

• The ISM Manufacturing PMI report showed ongoing contraction in business activity in October.
• The US Dollar Index holds steady near 104.00 after the PMI report.

The business activity in the US manufacturing sector continued to contract at an accelerating pace in October, with the ISM Manufacturing PMI falling to 46.5 from 47.2 in September. This reading came in below the market expectation of 47.6.

The Employment Index of the PMI survey edged slightly higher to 44.4 from 43.9 in the same period and the Prices Paid Index rose sharply to 54.8 from 48.3. Finally, the New Orders Index improved to 47.1 from 46.1.

Market reaction

The US Dollar Index stays in its daily range at around 104.00 after the ISM Manufacturing PMI data.