US factory activity shrank in September for a seventh consecutive month, reflecting a pullback in orders and adding to evidence manufacturing is lacking traction.

The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index edged up 0.4 point to 49.1, according to data released Wednesday. Readings below 50 indicate contraction, and the measure has been stuck in a narrow range for the whole year.

The group’s orders index slid 2.5 points to 48.9, slipping back into contraction territory after expanding a month earlier for the first time since January. Factory employment shrank less in September but remained historically depressed.

“Regarding output, the production and employment indexes improved, though 64% of panelists’ comments still indicated that managing head count is still the norm at

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