U.S. Manufacturing Holds 52.7% ISM Expansion Fourth Month Amid Inflation, Iran Risks

U.S. ISM manufacturing index remained at 52.7% in April—its strongest reading since 2022—confirming a fourth straight month of expansion in the latest update. New orders hit a three-month high and production grew, but employment contracted for the 31st consecutive month while prices surged to a near four-year high, highlighting persistent inflation. Stocks advanced on the surprise resilience (Dow +0.66%, S&P 500 +0.84% intra-day), though rising oil from the Iran war and tariff uncertainty cloud the outlook, stoking commodity pressures and safe-haven flows.