Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in April for the fifth consecutive month, and the overall economy grew for the 47th consecutive month, say the nation's supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM Report On Business�. The report was issued today by Bradley J. Holcomb, CPSM, CPSD, chair of the Institute for Supply Management(TM) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "The PMI(TM) registered 50.7 percent, a decrease of 0.6 percentage point from March's reading of 51.3 percent, indicating expansion in manufacturing for the fifth consecutive month, but at the lowest rate of the year. The ... (full story)