ISM Manufacturing Index Improves in August

U.S. manufacturing activity increased in August, the Institute for Supply Management said Wednesday.

ISM’s monthly factory index rose to a 56.3 reading, from 55.5 in July, the group said. Figures of more than 50 indicate expansion.

The reading was within the range of economists’ forecasts of a 49.9 to 56 reading, Bloomberg reported.

The ISM factory index measures manufacturing components of the economy.