Manufacturing Expands in September

Tempe, AZ, Oct. 1, 2013 -- Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in September for the fourth consecutive month, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

ISM’s index increased to 56.2 in September from 55.7 a month earlier

The New Orders Index decreased in September by 2.7 percentage points to 60.5 percent, and the Production Index increased by 0.2 percentage point to 62.6 percent. The Employment Index registered 55.4 percent, an increase of 2.1 percentage points compared to August's reading of 53.3 percent, which is the highest reading for the year.

Economists expected the overall measure to fall to 55. Estimates ranged from 52.4 to 57.2. Readings above 50 indicate growth.