by Calculated Risk on 10/01/2013 10:00:00 AM

The ISM manufacturing index indicated faster expansion in September. The PMI was at 56.2% in September, up from 55.7% in August. The employment index was at 55.4%, up from 53.3%, and the new orders index was at 60.5%, down from 63.2% in August.

From the Institute for Supply Management: August 2013 Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®

Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in September for the fourth consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 52nd consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®.

The report was issued today by Bradley J. Holcomb, CPSM, CPSD, chair of the Institute for Supply Management™ Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "The PMI™ registered 56.2 percent, an increase of 0.5 percentage point from August's reading of 55.7 percent. September's PMI™ reading is the highest of the year, leading to an average PMI™ reading of 55.8 percent for the third quarter. 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. Comments from the panel are generally positive and optimistic about increasing demand and improving business conditions."
emphasis added

Click on graph for larger image.

Here is a long term graph of the ISM manufacturing index.

This was above expectations of 55.0% and suggests manufacturing expanded at a faster pace in September.