U.S. factory growth up in September

U.S. manufacturing growth accelerated in September to the highest level since May despite supply chain problems. The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Friday that its index of manufacturing activity rose to a reading of 61.1 percent in September, 1.2 percentage points from the August level of 59.9 percent. It was the best showing for manufacturing since a reading of 61.2 in May. Any reading above 50 indicates growth in the manufacturing sector. September marked the 16th consecutive month manufacturing has grown.