WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A gauge of U.S. manufacturing edged up last month from an eight-month low in July amid some improvement in employment, but the overall trend continued to point to subdued factory activity.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said on Tuesday its manufacturing PMI rose to 47.2 in August from 46.8 in July, which was the lowest reading since November.

A PMI reading below 50 indicates contraction in the manufacturing sector, which accounts for 10.3% of the economy.

The PMI remained below the 50 threshold for the fifth straight month, but was above the 42.5 level that the ISM said over time generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. The PMI and regional factory surveys have, however, consistently overstated manufacturing weakness.

So-called hard data on manufacturing production and business spending on equipment suggest the sector has been largely treading water, as demand for goods has not collapsed despite hefty Federal Reserve interest rate increases.

The U.S. central bank is expected to start cutting rates at its Sept. 17-18 policy meeting.

The ISM survey's forward-looking new orders sub-index fell to 44.6 last month from 47.4 in July. Output declined further, with the production sub-index slipping to 44.8 from 45.9 in July. Despite subdued orders, manufacturers faced higher prices for inputs, likely reflecting soaring freight rates.

The survey's measure of prices paid by manufacturers increased to 54.0 from 52.9 in July.

That suggests goods deflation has probably run its course for now, but will probably not have a material impact on inflation, which is slowing. Goods prices were unchanged in July after falling for two straight months.

The measure of supplier deliveries fell to 50.5 from 52.6 in the prior month. A reading above 50 indicates slower deliveries.

Factory employment continued to contract, though the pace slowed. The survey's manufacturing employment measure rose to 46.0 from 43.4 in July.