Manufacturing Growth in State Slows Slightly

Growth in California’s manufacturing sector slowed slightly in last year’s fourth quarter but still outpaced the nation’s factories, according to Chapman University in Orange.

The school said its composite index for California manufacturing fell to 64.2 in the October-to-December period from 64.6 in the third quarter. A value above 50 shows expansion.

High-technology industries were the main driver of growth in manufacturing for the second consecutive quarter, Chapman said.

The index, based on a survey of purchasing managers, is similar to a national survey conducted by the Institute for Supply Management. The national poll showed a decline to 57.7 in the fourth quarter from 59.8 in the previous period.

Bill Sing