share: digg facebook twitter The Institute for Supply Management said Thursday that its manufacturing index slipped to 50.6 last month, down slightly from a reading of 50.9. "The overall sentiment is one of concern and caution over the domestic and international economic environment, which is affecting customer's confidence and willingness to place orders, at least in the short term," said Bradley Holcomb, the chair of the ISM's survey committee. [...] it slowed this spring after the Japan crisis disrupted supply chains, which affected U.S.