WASHINGTON (AP) – A survey shows U.S. manufacturing activity expanded more slowly in March than February, held back by weaker growth in production and new orders. But factories hired at the fastest pace in nine months, an encouraging sign ahead of Friday's report on March employment.
The Institute for Supply Management said Monday that its index of factory activity slipped to 51.3 percent. The index fell from 54.2 percent in February, which was the fastest growth since June 2011.
A reading above 50 indicates expansion. The index has signaled growth for four straight months. But the drop in March growth was bigger than economists expected.
Read the rest of the story by clicking here.
Latest from Lawn & Landscape
- Develon unveils -9 Series heavy excavators
- News you might've missed last week
- Lifescape Colorado's Hupf moves to regional role as Ostheimer becomes president
- Your most reliable predictor of success
- LandCare names McCallon, Miller as branch managers
- Takeuchi-US names Paul Wade, Eric Wenzel as dealer development managers
- CASE continues partnership with country artist Jon Pardi
- Greenlee debuts new battery-powered remote pruner
