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 and the production volume index both rose but were still under the 50-point mark.

The employment index also rose, but was under 50 for the third month in a row.

Delivery times were longer than in March.

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