A closely watched gauge of activity within the nation’s manufacturing sector shows it not only declined for the fifth straight month but activity contracted during November for the first time in three years along with hitting its lowest level since June 2009, according to the nation’s supply executives. The Institute for Supply Management’s report shows its index of manufacturing activity fell below the 50% neutral threshold for the first time since November 2012, registering 48.6% following an October reading of 50.1%.
