U.S. Manufacturing Continues To Expand

Washington, DC, May 2, 2011 -- U.S. manufacturing recorded its 21st consecutive month of expansion in April, according to the Institute for Supply Management index.

However, the index declined to 60.4% last month from 61.2% in March.

Any reading over 50 indicates that more manufacturers are expanding instead of shrinking.

Economists had forecast the index to dip to 59.5% in April.