Manufacturing in much of the world remained in contractionary territory in July, as concerns about a crisis in Europe and a Chinese slowdown continued.

In the U.S., the Institute for Supply Management‘s purchasing managers’ index was essentially flat in July at 49.8, compared to 49.7 a month earlier. Reading below 50 indicate contraction. Though a subindex for employment offered an expansionary reading, growth slowed, which suggests subdued hiring.

Meanwhile, according to an official measure China remained in expansionary territory, but just barely. Domestic demand may be propping the nation up, as most of the surrounding Asian countries slow down.