Manufacturing Conditions Improve in October

Washington, DC, Nov. 2, 2009--Conditions for the nation's manufacturers in October improved markedly, the Institute for Supply Management reported Monday.

The ISM index jumped to 55.7% in October from 52.6% in September, well above forecasts. The consensus forecast was for the index to rise to 53.0%. Readings above 50 indicate expansion.

The key employment index improved to 53.1 in October from 46.2 in the prior month.