Factory Activity Picks Up Steam

WALL STREET JOURNAL:   The U.S. manufacturing sector’s expansion picked up in April, according to data released Tuesday by the Institute for Supply Management.

The ISM’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index last month unexpectedly rose to 54.8 from 53.4 in March. A reading above 50 indicates expanding activity.

Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had expected the April PMI to slip to 52.9. ..   (more)