US manufacturing grows for 13th straight month

[link to news.yahoo.com]
NEW YORK – U.S. manufacturing expanded in August for the 13th straight month, lifting hopes that economic growth won't stall.

The Institute for Supply Management said Wednesday its manufacturing index rose to 56.3 in August from 55.5 in July. A reading above 50 indicates growth.

Manufacturing has helped lead the economy out of the worst recession since the 1930s. The trade group's index has surged since late 2009 and hit a 6-year high in April. But as economic growth has slowed this summer, expansion in the manufacturing sector has leveled off.