US Manufacturing Sees Growth For Fourth Straight Month

Apparently unexpected

Activity in the U.S. manufacturing sector expanded for the fourth consecutive month in September, according to a report released by the Institute for Supply Management on Tuesday, with the index of activity in the sector showing an unexpected increase.

The ISM said its purchasing managers index edged up to 56.2 in September from 55.7 in August, with a reading above 50 indicating growth in the manufacturing sector. Economists had been expecting the index to dip to 55.0.