1 American manufacturing expanded only slightly in January, signaling that overall growth in the economy may be leveling off, according to a widely followed survey of U.S. factories.
2 The National Association of Purchasing Managers said Wednesday its index of manufacturing growth rose to 57.9 percent in January from 57.5 percent in December. The index has been advancing for the last year and a half.
3 An index reading above 50 percent indicates an expansion of activity at the nation's factories, while a reading below 50 percent indicates a decline.
4 Production and new orders increased but as the same rate of growth as December, the report said.
5 In a troubling sign of inflation, more firms reported paying higher prices for raw materials in January. The survey said 73 percent of respondants paid higher prices compared to 71 percent in December.
6 NAPM's price index slipped to 87.1 percent from 87.5 percent in December, when it was at its highest level in 16 years.
7 The purchasing managers assocation, based in Tempe, Arizona, surveys managers at more than 300 industrial firms nationwide. The data, which represents the latest evidence on how the economy is performing, is widely followed by economists and the financial markets.

American manufacturing expanded only slightly in January , signaling that overall growth in the economy may be leveling off , according to a widely followed survey of U . S . factories .
expanded only slightly in January ,
What led to the lower-than-expected expansion?