MW: October U.S. Markit manufacturing index inches up
By Jeffry Bartash
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Markit said its U.S. flash manufacturing purchasing managers index edged up to 51.3 in October from a three-year low of 51.1 in September. Readings above 50 indicate expansion. New orders slowed and prices for materials hit the highest level in six months, Markit said. Earlier, Markit reported that the euro-zone flash manufacturing PMI fell to 45.8 in October from 46.1 in September, the lowest level in 40 months. Yet the HSBC Markit flash China manufacturing PMI climbed to 49.1 from 47.9 in September, marking a three-month high.
