New figures show that the US manufacturing sector grew at its fastest pace in six months in December. The data are the latest sign that the US economy gained momentum at the end of last year.
The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index rose to 53.9 from 52.7 in November. Any figure above 50 indicates expansion.
US manufacturing has expanded for more than two years. Factories were one of the first areas of the US economy to start growing after the country's recession officially ended in June 2009.
New orders, which economists consider a leading indicator of future activity in the sector, rose to 57.6 from 56.7. The employment component also jumped to 55.1 from 51.8.
