WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama says a promising report on the state of U.S. manufacturing is a sign that the hurting economy is moving in the right direction.
The U.S. manufacturing sector grew in August for the first time in 19 months, a new report out Tuesday shows.
Said the president: "It is a sign that we're on the path to economic recovery. There is no doubt that we have a long way to go."
The better-than-expected reading by the Institute for Supply Management showed the highest number for its manufacturing index since June 2007.
New orders from customers jumped to the highest level since late 2004.
Obama said the steps the government have taken to help the economy rebound are working.