MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Manufacturing growth data from the US and China helps boost markets

In the US manufacturing expanded for the 13th month running

Manufacturing growth in the US and China improved in August, helping to boost global stock markets. The US sector expanded for its 13th straight month in August, according to the Institute for Supply Management.

And China's purchasing manager's index, or PMI, has revealed its first gain in four months. China's growth raised hopes that it will increase consumption of US exports, and help sustain America's economic recovery.

In the US, the Institute said that its manufacturing index rose to 56.3 in August, up from 55.5 in July. A reading above 50 indicates growth.

US factories have seen rising demand for exports and also from businesses that are renewing capital equipment and re-building stocks.

Meanwhile, China's PMI, which measures manufacturing growth, rose to 51.7 in August from 51.2 in July.

A separate HSBC survey also showed a rise, reaching a three-month high of 51.9 in August from 49.4 in July. Anything above 50 shows an expansion.

The data from the US and China helped this week to lift stock markets. However in China market performance was more erratic since there are concerns about slowing Chinese economic growth in the long term.