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U.S. Manufacturing, Household Spending Probably Rose

By bloomberg.com 04/02/2012 03:53:00

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Manfacturing picked up in the U.S. in March.

Manufacturing probably picked up in the U.S. in March, showing it is weathering a slowdown in global growth, economists said before a report toda

The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index climbed to 53 from 52.4 in February, according to a median estimate of 55 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. Readings greater than 50 signal growth. Construction spending rose in February, other data may show.

“Manufacturers are benefiting from a variety of positive catalysts, including the need to replace a fleet of motor vehicles,” said Joseph LaVorgna, chief U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. in New York. “And we just haven’t got back to the previous peak in inventory that should benefit the sector and the national economy for some time.”

Increased auto sales, sustained corporate purchases of equipment and inventory rebuilding are underpinning the industry that led the U.S. out of the recession more than two years ago. At the same time, less demand from overseas customers remains a risk for manufacturers, which account for about 12 percent of the economy.

The Tempe, Arizona-based ISM’s manufacturing report is due at 10 a.m. New York time. Estimates ranged from 51.7 to 54.5. The gauge averaged 55.2 in 2011 and 57.3 a year earlier.

Also at 10 a.m., the Commerce Department will release data on construction spending. Economists project a 0.7 percent gain after a 0.1 percent January decrease, according to the Bloomberg survey median. Forecasts ranged from a drop of 0.6 percent to an increase of 1.5 percent.

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