U.S. ISM Turns Positive, Construction Spending Down

The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in September for the first time in four months, according to a closely followed index. The Institute for Suppl Management’s manufacturing gauge rose to 51.5 last month from 49.6 in August, the highest reading since May.

Outlays for U.S. construction projects fell for the second month in August, the Commerce Department reported Monday. Construction spending fell 0.6% in August, well below analysts’ expectations of a 0.5% gain.