Economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in November at a faster pace than October, according to the Institute for Supply Management’s purchasing managers index for US manufacturing released today. November’s index reading was 53.2, up from October’s reading of 51.9%. Readings above 50.0 generally indicate expansion.

The employment portion of the index edged to a reading of 52.3 in November from 52.9 in October, but still indicated expansion.

Economic activity at US manufacturing companies expanded at the highest level in five months and are slowly picking themselves out of a rut that was triggered, in part, by the dollar's rapid rise in 2014, Business Insider reported.