Workers stand in the steel coil yard at the ThyssenKrupp Steel USA factory in Calvert, Alabama November 22, 2013. Credit: Reuters/Lyle Ratliff
March 3, 2014 -- 9:10 a.m. EST -- NEW YORK (Reuters) -- U.S. manufacturing activity accelerated in February, rising more than expected to its highest since May 2010, an industry report showed on Monday.
Financial data firm Markit said the final read of its U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index rose to 57.1 in February, above both the preliminary read of 56.7 and expectations for a read of 56.6.
The report was much stronger than January's 53.7 reading, which was a three-month low, hurt by bad weather.
Readings above 50 indicate expansion.
