Purchasing Managers: manufacturing sector loses steam in May. (Purchasing Managers' Index)

Economic activity in the nation's manufacturing sector slowed in May, following an April that registered only minimal growth, according to the most recent report from the National Assn. of Purchasing Management. The NAPM also reported that the overall economy continued to grow in May, the fourth consecutive month of increase.

The NAPM Purchasing Managers' Index dipped under the 50% mark in May to 49.3%, down from 50.1% in April. Other key NAPM indexes reported mixed results for May. The Production Index improved slightly to 52.7% from 52.1% in the previous month. The New Orders Index slipped to 52.4% from 53.8%, while 25% of companies reported higher levels of new May …