June U.S. ISM factory index improves to 50.9%

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch)
Activity for the nation's manufacturers rebounded slightly in June after a weak reading in May, the Institute for Supply Management reported Monday
The ISM index rose to 50.9% in June from 49.0% in May, the weakest reading in 4 years
Any number above 50% signals that business is growing instead of shrinking
The report was slightly stronger than expected
The consensus forecast of estimates collected by MarketWatch was for the index to rebound to 50.6%
Readings above 50 indicate expansion
The new-orders index rose to 51.9% in June from 48.8% in the prior month
Production rose to 53.4% from 48.6% in the prior month.
However, the employment index slipped into contraction territory, to 48.7% from 50.1% in May