US manufacturing activity hovered at a near 4-1/2-year high in September and factory employment surged, supporting views of sturdy economic growth this quarter.
The growth picture was also boosted by other data on Tuesday showing an acceleration in services industry growth this month.
Financial data firm Markit said its preliminary or "flash" US Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index was at 57.9, unchanged from August's reading when it touched its highest level since April 2010.
