According to the latest figures released, the manufacturing output in the United States fell unexpectedly during the month of May, to its lowest level in four years.

Experts have said that the slowing growth in the export market and the tight fiscal policy has resulted in the fall in manufacturing output in the world’s largest economy during the month. A key index of manufacturing output in the country, the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index fell to 49 during May from 50.7 recorded in April.

A rating of more than 50 shows expansion while a rating of below 50 shows contraction. The rating of 49 during May shows that the manufacturing activity declined for the first time since November 2012. The index fell to its lowest level since June 2009, which the rating had fallen to 45.8 per cent. The fall in the index was largely unexpected in the American economy as most economists expected the manufacturing activity to accelerate.

Experts said that the latest data is largely in line with the view that the US economy is recovering but it is recovering at a gradual pace. The global demand for the US exports remains week but the domestic demand has helped revive the economy.