The nation’s purchasing managers said the U.S....

The nation’s purchasing managers said the U.S. economy grew strongly during October despite the stock market turmoil. The National Assn. of Purchasing Management said its monthly indicator rose to 61.8% last month, the highest level since December, 1983, and 1.1% above September. An index reading above 50 indicates the economy is expanding and below 50 indicates a decline. The index consists of business indicators gathered from a monthly survey of purchasing executives at 250 industrial companies.