MarketWatch reports American manufacturing activity grew slightly faster in October and put more people to work for the first time in four months, a hopeful sign for an industry that has struggled to grow over the past year and contributed to a slowdown in the US economy. The Institute for Supply Management’s purchasing managers index for US manufacturing rose to 51.9% — the highest in three months — from 51.5% in September. A gauge that measures employment also rose to 52.9% from 49.3%, turning positive for the first time in four months. Readings over 50% generally indicate expansion.