The Institute for Supply Management reported Monday that the Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) registered 51.5 percent in September, an increase of 1.9 percentage points from August's reading of 49.6 percent, indicating a return to expansion after contracting for three consecutive months.
The New Orders Index surged 5.3 percentage points from August to 52.3 percent, indicating growth in the sector following three months of contraction. The Production Index registered 49.5 percent, an increase of 2.3 percentage points and indicating contraction in production for the second time since May 2009. The Employment Index increased by 3.1 percentage points, registering 54.7 percent. The Prices Index increased 4 percentage points from its August reading to 58 percent.