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Survey: US August factory activity at 6-plus year high

FILE - In this May 25, 2017, file photo, apprentice Ryan Buzzy, right, works with Skip Johnson, a trainer for the Stihl Inc. apprenticeship program, on a metalworking lathe in their training area at the Stihl Inc. manufacturing facility in Virginia Beach, Va. On Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, the Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, issues its index of manufacturing activity for August. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File) FILE - In this May 25, 2017, file photo, apprentice Ryan Buzzy, right, works with Skip Johnson, a trainer for the Stihl Inc. apprenticeship program, on a metalworking lathe in their training area at the Stihl Inc. manufacturing facility in Virginia Beach, Va. On Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, the Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, issues its index of manufacturing activity for August. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

By Associated Press September 1, 2017 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. factories expanded at a brisk pace in August, a likely sign of strength for the U.S. economy as new orders, production and employment all improved.

The Institute for Supply Management said Friday that its manufacturing index rose to 58.8 percent last month from 56.3 percent in July. Anything above 50 signals that factory activity is increasing.

The measure now stands at its highest level since April 2011, pointing to solid economic growth.