The Institute for Supply Management reported today that its Manufacturing Index rose to 55.3% in June from 53.5% in May.The uptick was a surprise, as the consensus estimate was calling for the index to fall further to 52.3%, after a 7-point plunge from 60.4% in April.The employment index for the manufacturing sector showed improvement as well, coming in at 59.9% in June from 58.2% in April.The new orders index rose to 51.6% in the month, from 51.0% in May, and the inventories index turned positive again, coming in at 54.1% after falling into contraction levels at 48.7%.The price index continued its sharp fall, dropping to 68.0% from 76.5% in the month prior.Any number above 50 means growth, while any number below 50 means contraction.