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U.S. manufacturing activity accelerated in April, the Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday.

ISM’s monthly factory index rose to a reading of 54.8, from 53.4 in March, the group said in its monthly report. Figures over 50 indicate expansion.

The index reading topped economists’ projections of decline to a 53, Bloomberg reported.

The new orders, production and employment indexes all improved, and April marked the index’s 33rd straight month of expansion.

ISM’s factory index measures manufacturing components of the economy.