U.S. manufacturing up 28 months

TEMPE, Ariz., Dec. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. manufacturing activity made gains in November with the pace picking up from the previous month, the Institute of Supply Management said Thursday.

The headline index (the Purchasing Managers' Index) rose from 50.8 in October to 52.7, the institute said.

Numbers above 50 indicate growth. Below 50 indicates a contraction.

Under those terms, the country's manufacturing sector has gained activity in each of the past 28 months.

The institute said eight of 18 manufacturing groups showed growth in the month. The strongest growth in November was seen in wood products, textile, and petroleum and coal.