Manufacturing Continues To Expand in March

Tempe, AZ, April 2, 2012 -- Manufacturing expanded at a faster pace in March, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

ISM said its manufacturing gauge rose to 53.4% last month from 52.4% in February. Economists had expected the index to rise to 53.5%.

Readings over 50% indicate expansion.

Fifteen of the 18 industries tracked by ISM reported growth last month, up from 11 in the prior month.