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ISM Index: Strong V-Shaped Recovery Underway

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NEW YORK (AP)A private measure of U.S. manufacturing activity grew in October at the fastest pace in more than three years, helped by government spending and higher demand from overseas. The better-than-expected reading is a positive signal for the fledgling economic recovery.

The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing executives, says its manufacturing index read 55.7 last month, compared with 52.6 in September. It's the third straight reading above 50, which indicates growth.

MP: This is the strongest level for the ISM index in three and one-half years, since April 2006, and is now at a higher level during the current economic expansion than during the 2002 economic recovery (see chart above).


Update 1: Graph has been updated with explanation of the shaded recession areas.

Update 2: According to Scott Grannis, the ISM rebound suggests we'll have Q4 real GDP growth of 4-5%.

 

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