Economic activity in the US manufacturing sector expanded in September, and the overall economy grew for the 100th consecutive month, according to the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business.
The September PMI registered 60.8 percent, an increase of 2 percentage points from the August reading of 58.8 percent.
The New Orders Index registered 64.6 percent, an increase of 4.3 percentage points from the August reading of 60.3 percent.
The Production Index registered 62.2 percent, a 1.2 percentage point increase compared to the August reading of 61 percent.
The Employment Index registered 60.3 percent, an increase of 0.4 percentage point from the August reading of 59.9 percent.
The Supplier Deliveries Index registered 64.4 percent, a 7.3 percentage point increase from the August reading of 57.1 percent.
The Inventories Index registered 52.5 percent, a decrease of 3 percentage points from the August reading of 55.5 percent.
The Prices Index registered 71.5 percent in September, a 9.5 percentage point increase from the August level of 62, indicating higher raw materials prices for the 19th consecutive month.
Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 17 reported growth in September, in the following order: textile mills; machinery; nonmetallic mineral products; transportation equipment; plastics and rubber products; paper products; wood products; computer and electronic products; food, beverage and tobacco products; chemical products; fabricated metal products; miscellaneous manufacturing; petroleum and coal products; apparel, leather and allied products; printing and related support activities; electrical equipment, appliances and components; and primary metals.
One industry, furniture and related products, reported contraction in September compared to August.