July 1 (Bloomberg) -- The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index unexpectedly rose to 55.3 in June from 53.5 the prior month, the Tempe, Arizona-based group said today. Economists projected the gauge would drop to 52, according t o the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey. Estimates of the 77 economists ranged from 49 to 55. Other figures today showed manufacturing growth is slowing from China to Europe. China’s factory index fell in June to the weakest level since February 2009, while in the 17-nation euro area, a gauge slipped to an 18-month low. German manufacturing expanded at the slowest pace in 17 months, while Italy, Ireland, Spain and Greece contracted.
