Summary Box: Manufacturing activity grew in Sept. for 14th straight month, but at slower pace
By APFriday, October 1, 2010
Summary Box: Manufacturing sector up in Sept again
WEAKER PACE: Manufacturing activity expanded in September for the 14th straight month, although at the slowest pace since November.
HOW COME?: Beginning last summer, factories revved up production because of strong demand from businesses that needed to replenish the stockpiles of goods that had dwindled during the financial crisis. That trend has slowed in recent months.
SIGNALING SLOWDOWN: Manufacturing companies said new orders, a gauge of future business, barely grew in September, while company backlogs shrank. Each of those could hamper growth in the coming months.
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