Manufacturers produced more goods and booked more orders last month, leading to the fastest growth in factory activity since May. The Institute for Supply Management said Monday that its index of manufacturing activity rose to 57 in December from 56.6 in the previous month. Any reading over 50 indicates growth. The latest is well above the recession’s low of 32.5, hit in December 2008. But it’s below the reading of 60.4 in April, the highest level since June 2004. The report shows that manufacturers carried considerable momentum into the new year.
Motorola becomes two businesses today
Motorola Inc.’s formal split into two companies today will mark the final step in the years-long breakup of a consumer electronics industry pioneer. Motorola is splitting its consumer-oriented side, which makes cell phone and cable set-top boxes, from the professional business of selling police radios and barcode scanners to government agencies and large companies. The new companies will be called Motorola Mobility and Motorola Solutions. The two companies will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange this morning allowing new investors to buy shares.
Microsoft restores Hotmail messages
Microsoft Corp. said Monday that it has resolved a glitch that caused some Hotmail users to temporarily lose all of their e-mails. In some cases, e-mails were mistakenly sent to deleted mail folders. Microsoft said Monday that all the affected users have their e-mails back. Microsoft would not say how many people’s e-mails were lost.
From Herald news services
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