ISM manufacturing index climbs to 54.1% in January

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch)
Business at U.S. manufacturers continued to expand in January at a somewhat faster pace, according to a key index released Wednesday
The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index rose to 54.1% last month from a revised 53.1% in December
Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a reading of 54.5%
Any reading above 50% indicates expansion.
"Manufacturing is starting out the year on a positive note, with new orders, production and employment all growing in January," said Bradley J. Holcomb, who's in charge of the ISM manufacturing survey