Manufacturing Growth Hits Lowest Level in 2 Years

By DANIEL WAGNER

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Manufacturers had their weakest growth in two years in July, a sign that the economy could weaken this summer.

The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing executives, said Monday that its index of manufacturing activity fell to 50.9 percent in July from 55.3 percent in June. The reading was the lowest since July 2009 - one month after the recession officially ended.