US Business Activity Expands at Second-Fastest Pace This Year

A student does steel work at Ironworkers Local 29 during an apprenticeship in Dayton, Ohio.

Photographer: Megan Jelinger/AFP/Getty Images

US business activity expanded this month at the second-fastest pace of the year on stronger orders growth, and firms were more restrained with pricing to stoke sales.

The S&P Global flash October composite output index rose nearly 1 point to 54.8, according to data released Friday. Figures above 50 indicate expansion.