Executives See Expansion Continuing

U.S. manufacturing and construction executives remain optimistic that business activity will continue expanding in the fourth quarter, according to a pair of monthly industry surveys for July.

The Industrial Sentiment Index, measuring manufacturers’ expectations for the three months ending in October, held steady at 21 last month, according to a Dun & Bradstreet Corp. survey.

Separately, the Order Book Index, which measures construction companies’ three-month outlook, fell four points to 40 in July from 44 in June, Dun & Bradstreet said.

Still, both surveys were stronger last month than in July a year ago.