The Institute for Supply Management’s purchasing managers index for U.S. manufacturing rose 0.5 percent to a reading of 53.7 percent in March. The reading indicates continued expansion, and at a faster pace than indicated by January’s reading of 53.2 percent. Readings above 50 indicate growth.

MarketWatch reports that while the increase in the index was small, the details of the report suggest gathering momentum for U.S. manufacturers and perhaps the U.S. economy as a whole.

The employment portion of the index fell to a reading of 51.1 percent in March from 52.3 percent in February.