Activity in the manufacturing sector increased in August after a year and a half of unabated contraction, according to the Institute for Supply Management‘s latest Report on Business.
The Tempe, Ariz.-based institute’s August manufacturing index registered 52.9, up from 48.9 in July.
Eleven of the 18 manufacturing sectors that make up ISM’s index reported growth when comparing August to July. The sectors that reported continued contraction during the month included plastics, furniture, food products and chemicals.
