Manufacturing Continued To Expand in February

New York, NY, March 1, 2010--The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in February but at a slower rate than was expected, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

ISM's index of national factory activity declined to 56.5 in February from 58.4 in January. The median forecast of economists was for a reading of 57.5.

A reading below 50 indicates contraction in the manufacturing sector, while a number above 50 means expansion.