activity in the us manufacturing sector shrank for a third straight month in january hovering at the lowest levels since may 2020 as new orders and production slumped according to survey data released wednesday the gloomy figure comes as demand softens on the back of the central banks rapid interest rate hikes the institute for supply managements ism manufacturing index slipped one percentage point to 474 percent in january from 484 percent in december this was a touch below analyst expectations and also lower than the 50 percent threshold indicating growth in the sector the january composite index reading reflects companies slowing outputs to better match demand in the first half of 2023 and prepare for growth in the second half of the year said ism manufacturing survey chair timothy fiore in a statement in recent months the manufacturing purchasing managers index has been at its lowest levels since the pandemic recovery began in january the new orders index and production index remained in contraction both retreating from decembers readings as demand eased the report said but companies are indicating that they are not going to substantially reduce head counts as they are positive about the second half of the year fiore added of the six biggest manufacturing industries only one  transportation equipment  registered growth in january said ism business is still strong but we have begun to see softening in some pricing and lead times seem to be improving said a respondent in the computer and electronic products sector another respondent in the chemical products sector added that there have been a lot fewer supply disruptions so far this year us central bankers are due to conclude a twoday policy meeting on wednesday at the end of which analysts expect a further but smaller interest rate hike