US markets rise as report shows growth in manufacturing

US manufacturing ticked upwards last month, offering a rare example of expansion in a global picture of slowing economies. The FT reports the US manufacturing index rose to 51.5, the first gain since May, says The Guardian. The results were better than economists had expected, with most predicting another month of contraction. Dan Greenhaus, chief global strategist at BTIG, said the report was "unquestionably positive". US stock markets rose on the news. ·