U.S. Manufacturing Grows Slightly in September

Follows three months of contraction to end a lousy quarter

Manufacturing in the U.S. unexpectedly expanded in September, indicating the industry is stabilizing after three months of contraction.

The Institute for Supply Management's factory index rose to 51.5 last month from 49.6 in August, the Tempe, Arizona-based group said today. Economists in a Bloomberg survey projected a September reading of 49.7, according to the median forecast. Measures above 50 represent expansion.