NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are extending their gains following improvements in manufacturing and construction activity.
The Institute for Supply Management says Monday that U.S. manufacturing industry expanded at the fastest pace in nearly six years. The trade group’s manufacturing index rose to 60.4 in April from 59.6 in March.
The Commerce Department says construction activity rose 0.2 percent in March, the first gain since October. Economists expected a drop.
Stocks had been higher on news that United and Continental Airlines agreed to combine.
The Dow Jones industrial average is up 92 at 11,101. It had been up 75 ahead of the economic numbers. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index is up 9 at 1,196. The Nasdaq composite index rose 20 at 2,482.
