Wall Street Journal (10/02/12) Josh Mitchell; Ben Casselman

U.S. manufacturing rebounded in September, expanding for the first time in four months despite uncertainty at home and slumping economies around the globe. The Institute for Supply Management on Monday said its index of factory activity, based on a survey of purchasing managers across the U.S., rose to 51.5 in September from 49.6 in August, the first time since May that the index crossed the 50-point threshold that indicates expansion. Gauges of new orders and employment also inched up, boosting hopes that production and hiring will improve in coming months.