According to the most recent data from the Institute for Supply Management, economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April, and the overall economy grew for the 95th consecutive month.

The April PMI came in at 54.8%, which was a 2.4% decrease from the March reading of 57.2%. The new orders index also fell, taking a 7% hit in falling to 57.5%. The employment index also experienced a decrease, falling 6.9% to 52%. The prices index, which ran above 70% last month, sunk to 68.5% in April, indicating higher raw materials prices for the 14th-straight month just at a slower rate than last month.

Meanwhile, the production index and raw materials increased. The production index only marginally rose, reaching 58.6%, Raw materials came back over the 50% mark, landing at 51%.

“Comments from the panel generally reflect stable to growing business conditions; with new orders, production, employment and inventories of raw materials all growing in April over March,” said Bradley J. Holcomb, chair of the ISM’s Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 16 reported growth in April, including electrical equipment, machinery, primary metals and transportation equipment.