Economics
Manufacturing in U.S. Kept Expanding at Robust Pace in March
An employee shapes a Bear Claw Scraper Bar at a factory in Bushnell, Ill. on March 31.
Photographer: Daniel Acker/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
America’s factories continued to expand in March at a robust pace, demonstrating momentum in an industry that struggled for the better part of the last two years, Institute for Supply Management data showed Monday.
The manufacturing index, which has increased in six of the last seven months, underscores building optimism among factory managers that’s also emerged from Asia to Europe. In the U.S., the ISM measure of export orders climbed to the highest level since November 2013, indicating improving global demand.