[U.S. Manufacturing Activity Contracts for the Eighth Consecutive Month Due to Declining Output and Weak Demand] Reported by Jinse Finance, U.S. manufacturing activity contracted for the eighth consecutive month in October, impacted by declining output and weak demand. According to data released on Monday, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) manufacturing index fell by 0.4 points to 48.7. An index below 50 indicates contraction in industry activity, and the manufacturing index has fluctuated within a narrow range for most of this year. The report shows that the ISM output index dropped by 2.8 points to 48.2, marking the second time in three months it has fallen below the 50 threshold that separates expansion from contraction. Weak output continues to pressure manufacturing employment. The ISM employment index contracted for the ninth consecutive month, although the rate of decline was slightly slower than in September.