The U.S. manufacturing sector posted its least weak month of the year in June, raising hope that a recovery may unfold by year-end, according to Norbert Ore, survey chair of the National Association of Purchasing Management's manufacturing survey. Pointing to strong gains in new orders and production, indexes that dominate the report, Ore said "a lot of things are in place" for a recovery in manufacturing. New orders rose to 48.6 in June from 45.5 in May, the best reading of the year, while production rose to 46.2 vs. 42.7, also its best reading. He said both indexes showed a "significant" slowing in the rate of decline.