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U.S. manufacturing expanded at a modest pace in September after unexpectedly shrinking a month earlier, underscoring limited progress for the battered sector.

Manufacturing in the U.S. unexpectedly contracted in August for the first time in six months, amid slumping orders and production that raise concern of renewed industrial weakness.

Manufacturing in the United States last month posted the strongest advance since January, helped by automobile production and a sign domestic demand is improving.

There is one positive aspect of U.S. manufacturing’s recent performance. While uninspiring, the rate of growth is broadening to include almost all types of producers.

Manufacturing expanded at a slower pace than forecast in April as factories continued to grapple with lax global demand and fallout from a weakened U.S. energy industry.

U.S. manufacturing output unexpectedly declined in March by the most since February 2015, indicating factories remain scarred by global challenges that are slow to dissipate.

Manufacturing expanded in March for the first time in seven months, fueled by a surge in orders that signals American factories are emerging from their worst slump since the last recession.

Goldman Sachs projects that the ISM Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index will break above 50, the level that separates contraction and expansion, in its March reading that is due out on April 1.

Factory activity in February shrank less than forecast as gains in new orders and production provided signs that the beleaguered industry soon could stabilize.

U.S. manufacturing output rose in January by the most since July 2015, a sign the industry was starting to stabilize at the beginning of the year.