Manufacturing Index Rises in March
The Institute for Supply Management’s index increased to 53.7 in March from 53.2 a month earlier, the Tempe, Ariz.-based group reported April 1. Readings above 50 indicate growth.
The median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of 81 economists was 54, with estimates ranging from 51.5 to 56.
Manufacturing accounts for about 12 percent of the economy. The ISM’s factory gauge averaged 53.9 for 2013.
