Manufacturing Strengthens in January

Washington, DC, Feb. 1, 2013 -- Manufacturing activity strengthened in January, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

The ISM index rose to 53.1% in January from 50.2% in December, beating consensus forecast of 51.0%. Readings above 50 indicate expansion.

The new-orders index rose to 53.3% in January from 49.7% in December and the employment index rose to 54.0% from 51.9% in December.