US Stocks Drop as Economy Flashes Red Signal
🕓 Estimated Reading Time: 5 minutes Overview Wall Street experienced a significant downturn recently as a crucial economic indicator pointed to a continued contraction in the U.S. manufacturing sector. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing PMI registered its lowest level in over three years, signaling an economic warning that reverberated through equity markets. Major indices, including the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite, all closed lower, reflecting investor apprehension about the nation's economic health. Background & Context The catalyst for the market's decline was the latest ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) report, which came in at 46.0 for a recent period, significantly below economists' expectations and firmly in contraction territory. A reading below 50 indicates a contraction in manufacturing activity, while a reading above 50 suggests expansion. This marks the lowest reading since May 2...