An index value above 50 shows expansion in the manufacturing sector, while a value under 50 signals contraction.

Among the sub-indices that comprise the PMI, the new orders index rose “strongly” from April but was still under the 50-point mark.

The production volume index also climbed from the previous month but remained below the 50-point threshold.

The employment index rose, but still showed contraction for the sixth month in a row.

Delivery times were longer than in April.

Purchased inventories were down for the fourth month in a row after expanding for a period of 37 months.