U.S. ISM Manufacturing Index Comes in at 54.5 in September, Below the 55.0 Expected

U.S. ISM Manufacturing came in at 54.5 in September, below the 55.0 expected and close to the 54.6 reading previously.
A reading above 50 means U.S. factory activity is still growing.
Together with cooler PCE inflation and low jobless claims, the data shows the economy is still holding up.
However, the prices paid index jumped to 77.9, showing inflation pressure is still present.
The latest print also supports the Fed having room to ease, but it may not need to move too fast.