In July, the seasonally adjusted composite index of manufacturing activity — our broadest measure of manufacturing — declined seven points to 16 from June's reading of 23. Among the index's components, shipments lost nine points to 22, new orders dropped 12 points to finish at 13, while the jobs index moved up six points to 15.

Other indicators also suggested somewhat slower activity. The backlog of orders measure moved down two points to 1, and the index for capacity utilization fell eight points to 13. The delivery times index retreated 13 points to end at 4. Our gauges for inventories were somewhat higher in July. The finished goods inventory index edged up one point to 8, and the raw materials inventory index moved up seven points to finish at 11.