Manufacturing Conditions Improve in October

Washington, DC, Nov. 2, 2009–Conditions for the nation’s manufacturers in October improved markedly, the Institute for Supply Management reported Monday.

The ISM index jumped to 55.7% in October from 52.6% in September, well above forecasts. The consensus forecast was for the index to rise to 53.0%. Readings above 50 indicate expansion.

The key employment index improved to 53.1 in October from 46.2 in the prior month.