New data from the Institute for Supply Management showed economic activity in the manufacturing sector expanded in September, and the overall economy grew for the 100th consecutive month.

The September PMI reading was 60.8%, which was not only up 2% from August but marks the highest it has reached since 2004, according to MarketWatch.

There were also increases in the new orders, production, employment and deliveries indices. New orders rose 4.3% to a reading of 64.6%. Production was up 2% to 62.2%. Employment had a marginal 0.4% increase to 60.3%. Finally, deliveries jumped 7.3% to 64.4%.

The inventories index fell by 3% in August, but the prices index catapulted past 70% with a 9.5% increase during the month. Such a jump means higher raw materials prices for the 19th-straight month.

“Comments from the panel reflect expanding business conditions, with new orders, production, employment, order backlogs and export orders all growing in September, as well as supplier deliveries slowing (improving) and inventories growing at a slower rate during the period. The customers’ inventories index remains at low levels,” said Timothy R. Fiore, chair of the ISM manufacturing business survey committee.

Of the 18 manufacturing industries, 17 reported growth in September. Only one industry, furniture and related products, reported contraction in September compared to August.