The July flash reading of manufacturing conditions from S&P Global declined to 53.8 from 53.9 in June, compared with an expected reading of 54.4 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.
The slower pace of expansion follows increases in the regional manufacturing sector readings from the New York and Philadelphia Federal Reserve bank, but a decline in the Kansas City Fed's measure.
The index for services conditions rose to an eight-month high of 53.6 in July from 51.2 in June, compared with expectations for a smaller increase to 51.5.