Indexes Hit 15-Month High as Nordson Ends Up
Dow Jones Newswires</br></br>NEW YORK -- Small-capitalization stock indexes pushed to 15-month highs after a sign of strength in the manufacturing sector of the economy. Factory-equipment makers saw their shares climb after the Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index rose to 54.7 in August, up from 51.8 in July, and better than analysts' expectation of 53.5.</br></br>Small-cap Milacron led the group higher with its advance of 18 cents, or 8%, to $2.42, on the New York Stock Exchange, followed by Nordson's gain of 1.37, or 5.5%, to 26.24, and Regal-Beloit's (Amex) rise of 98 cents, or 4.3%, to 23.60.</br></br>Computer issues also showed strength after Goldman Sachs raised its investment opinion of the enterprise-hardware sector to neutral from cautious, saying many technology companies are poised to meet or exceed fourth-quarter estimates.</br></br>Among small stocks, Computer Network Technology gained 70 cents, or 8.9%, to 8.60, Concurrent Computer advanced 24 cents, or 6.8%, to 3.75, and Advanced Digital Information climbed 68 cents, or 5%, to 14.18.