Manufacturing growth slows a bit in November: ISM

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The pace of growth in U.S. manufacturing tapered off slightly in November, though the sector still posted its 16th consecutive month of expansion, according to an industry report released on Wednesday.

The Institute for Supply Management said its index of national factory activity slipped to 56.6 last month from 56.9 in October, The median forecast of 66 economists surveyed by Reuters was for a reading of 56.5.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion. The sector has grown every month since August, 2009.

(Reporting by Steven C. Johnson, Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)