U.S. manufacturing activity turned in another robust expansion in October, while price pressures remained a concern for manufacturers.

The Institute for Supply Management said today that its index of manufacturing activity moved to a reading of 59.1 in October, after standing at 59.4 in September and 53.6 in August.

October’s reading showed that manufacturing expanded by about the same rate as the prior month, and it represented the 29th straight month of gains for the sector.

Readings above 50 indicate expanding activity, and gauge the breadth of that growth. Economists had expected to see the index hit 57.0 for October.

The U.S. manufacturing sector “continued its strong performance supported by continuing growth in new orders and production,” said Norbert Ore, director of the survey. But he added, “rising prices, and energy costs in particular, are of major concern as manufacturers are struggling to control costs.”

Among the survey’s components, its prices index hit 84.0 in October, from the already hot 78.0 the month before and the 62.5 from September.

Meanwhile, the ISM also said that its new orders index expanded briskly, albeit at a slower pace, at a reading of 61.7, from 63.8 in September, while the October production index stood at 62.0, from 63.1. The ISM’s employment index gained ground to 55.0, indicating broader gains in job creation compared with September’s 53.1.

The group’s inventories index, which can sometimes be a leading indicator for future manufacturing sector activity, hit 48.1 last month, from 49.6 in September.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Department reported that U.S. construction spending rose 0.5% at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of US$1.120 trillion, a new record high, in September. Spending climbed by a revised 0.6% in August.