The US manufacturing sector continued to grow last month, driven by the fastest growth in output and new orders in over four years. The latest Purchasing Managers’ Index for manufacturing from Markit (the financial data group) rose to 57.3 in June — the highest reading since May 2010 (a figure above 50 indicates an expansion in economic activity).

The output sub-index rose from 59.6 to 61, while the new order sub-index increased from 58.8 to 61.2. Both figures marked the highest level since April 2010.

Chris Williamson (pictured), chief economist at Markit, said: “Factory output, order books and payroll numbers rose at some of the fastest rates we’ve seen since the recession, rounding off the best quarter for four years in terms of manufacturing expansion.”