Manufacturing grows at fastest rate since 2004
By Annalyn Censky, staff reporterApril 1, 2010: 10:49 AM ET


NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Manufacturing activity grew for the eighth straight month in March, at the fastest rates since July 2004, according to a report Thursday.

The Tempe, Ariz.-based Institute for Supply Management's (ISM) manufacturing index rose to 59.6 in March from the February reading of 56.5. Economists surveyed by Briefing.com were expecting a reading of 57.