With a federal budget deficit still as large as it is, not all that much of a surprise. Karim writes: Nice upside surprise: Orders and employment both up on the month; export orders up sharply (but not seasonally adjusted) Sept Aug Composite 53.2 51.5 Activity 52.8 54.4 Prices Paid 60.1 60.3 New Orders 54.9 52.4 Employment 50.2 48.2 Export orders 58.0 46.5 Imports 53.0 50.5 “General state of the business has not changed [...]