Manufacturing Growth Accelerates in August

Tempe, AZ, Sept. 2, 2014 -- U.S. manufacturing growth accelerated in August to its highest level since March 2011, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

ISM said its index of national factory activity rose to 59.0 from 57.1 the month before.

Economists were expecting a reading of 56.9. A reading above 50 indicates expansion.

The employment gauge dipped to 58.1 from 58.2, while the new orders index rose to 66.7, up from 63.4 and marking its highest level since April 2004.