An index value above 50 shows expansion in the manufacturing sector, while a value under 50 signals contraction. The index rose back over the 50 threshold in July.

Among the sub-indices that comprise the PMI, the new orders index and the production volume index both continued to rise after passing the 50-point mark in July.

The employment index rose over 50 after eight months of contraction.

Delivery times were longer than in July.

Purchased inventories were up for the second month in a row after contracting for five consecutive months.