Nationwide, the manufacturing sector expanded in April for the ninth consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 12th consecutive month, according to the Institute for Supply Management.
ISM’s Purchasing Managers Index hit 60.5 percent in April. Manufacturers continue to see strength in new orders, and ISM’s New Orders Index has averaged 61.6 percent for the past 10 months.
The signs for employment in the sector continue to improve, as well. The Employment Index registered its fifth consecutive month of growth.
Seventeen of the 18 manufacturing industries followed by ISM reported growth in April.
