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... The on-again and of-again tariffs were described by some transportation equipment manufacturers as having "wreaked havoc on suppliers' ability to react and remain profitable," while makers of computer and electronic products viewed the duties and government spending cuts as "raising hell with businesses."

"The outlook for the manufacturing sector looks downbeat, particularly with the initial surge in demand from front-loading now behind us," said Matthew Martin, senior economist at Oxford Economics. "Businesses are contending with higher input costs, supply disruptions, and domestic and foreign customers wary of committing to new orders."

The ISM said its manufacturing PMI edged down to a six-month low of 48.5 last month from 48.7 in April. A PMI reading below 50 indicates contraction in the manufacturing sector, which accounts for 10.2% of the economy.

The PMI, however, remains above the 42.3 level that the ISM says over time indicates an expansion of the overall economy. ...