• U.S. Consumer Confidence Index – April 2013

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“The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index®, which had declined in March, increased in April. The Index now stands at 68.1 (1985=100), up from 61.9 in March.” Source: The Conference Board

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• U.S. Employment Cost Index – March 2013 (Wages, benefits, salaries)

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Compensation costs for civilian workers increased 0.3 percent, seasonally adjusted, for the 3-month period ending March 2013, essentially unchanged from the 0.4 percent increase for the December 2012 3-month period. Wages and salaries increased 0.5 percent for the current period compared to a 0.3 percent increase for the December 2012 period. Benefit costs decelerated to 0.1 percent in March 2013, down from 0.6 percent in December 2012. Chart is NSA. Click on chart to enlarge. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Employment Characteristics of Families - 2012

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In 2012, 10.5 percent of families included an unemployed person, down 1.0 percentage point from 2011. Of the nation's 80.1 million families, 80.0 percent had at least one employed member in 2012. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Personal Income and Expenditures – March 2013

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Personal income increased $30.9 billion, or 0.2 percent, and disposable personal income (DPI) increased $20.7 billion, or 0.2 percent, in March. Personal consumption expenditures (PCE) increased $21.0 billion, or 0.2 percent. In February, personal income increased $151.2 billion, or 1.1 percent, DPI increased $134.0 billion, or 1.1 percent, and PCE increased $81.6 billion, or 0.7 percent, based on revised estimates. Real disposable income increased 0.3 percent in March, compared with an increase of 0.7 percent in February. Real PCE increased 0.3 percent in March, the same as in February. Source: USDOL-BEA

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• U.S. Persons With A Disability: Barriers To Employment, Types of Assistance, and Other Issues

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In May 2012, half of all persons with a disability who were not working reported some type of barrier to employment. Among employed persons with a disability, over half had some difficulty completing their work duties because of their disability. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Consumer Sentiment – April 2013

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“Confidence among consumers fell in April to a three-month low as Americans grew more pessimistic about the outlook for the economy. ”The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan final index of consumer sentiment declined less than forecast, to 76.4 from 78.6 a month earlier. The median projection in a Bloomberg survey was 73.5 after a preliminary April reading of 72.3.” Source: Bloomberg.com

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• U.S. Gross Domestic Product - Q1 2013 (advance estimate) [GDP]

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Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States -- increased at an annual rate of 2.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013 (that is, from the fourth quarter to the first quarter), according to the "advance" estimate. In the fourth quarter, real GDP increased 0.4 percent. The increase in real GDP in the first quarter primarily reflected positive contributions from personal consumption expenditures (PCE), private inventory investment, exports, residential investment, and nonresidential fixed investment that were partly offset by negative contributions from federal government spending and state and local government spending. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased. Source: USDOC-BEA

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment Claims Down 16k [Jobless]

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In the week ending April 20, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 339,000, a decrease of 16,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 355,000 and down 11.0% from the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 357,500, a decrease of 4,500 from the previous week's revised average of 362,000. Click on chart to enlarge The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.3 percent for the week ending April 13, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from the prior week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending April 6 were in Alaska (5.1), Puerto Rico (4.4), New Jersey (3.7), Pennsylvania (3.6), Wisconsin (3.5), California (3.4), Connecticut (3.4), Illinois (3.4), Oregon (3.2), and Rhode Island (3.2). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending April 13 were in California (+24,303), Texas (+3,050), Florida (+2,623), Indiana (+2,372), and Arizona (+1,296), while the largest decreases were in New York (-14,113), Michigan (-5,998), New Jersey (-4,204), Ohio (-3,036), and Illinois (-2,455). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• Connecticut Employer to Lay off 192, Close

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CTDOL says that The May Institute, Inc., with operations in South Windsor, Windsor, Niantic, Groton, Stonington, Hartford, Bloomfield, Plantsville, Mystic, Manchester, Norwich, Plainville, and West Hartford, will lay off 192 workers on 6/30/13 and close on that date. At least some of these employees are represented by New England Healthcare Employees Union, 1100 SEIU. Source: CTDOL

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• Waterbury, CT Employer to Lay Off 173, Possibly Close

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The CTDOL says that Sodexo, Inc. of Waterbury will lay off 173 workers on 6/20/13. At least some of these employees are represented by New England Healthcare Employees Union, 1100 SEIU. Source: CTDOL

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• “Employers must use new Form I-9 starting May 7”

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“On March 8, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted a revised Employment Eligibility Verification form, Form I-9. Beginning May 7, employers must only use the new form.” Source: BLR.com

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• U.S. Durable Goods Manufacturers’ Shipments, Inventories and Orders - March 2013

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New Orders: New orders for manufactured durable goods in March decreased $13.1 billion or 5.7 percent to $216.3 billion. This decrease, down two of the last three months, followed a 4.3 percent February increase. Excluding transportation, new orders decreased 1.4 percent. Excluding defense, new orders decreased 4.7 percent. Source: USDOC-Census

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• U.S. Employers’ College Hiring Projections

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“Employers say they expect their college hiring levels to remain relatively flat, according to a new report from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). ”Employers taking part in NACE’s Job Outlook Spring Update survey say they will hire 2.1 percent more new college grads from the Class of 2013 than they hired from the Class of 2012. That’s down from the 13 percent increase they projected in the fall of 2012.” Source: NACEWeb.org

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• Economic Characteristics of U.S. Households – Q32011

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“This set of tables examines the role of government-sponsored benefit programs and the labor market among the nation's people and households within the economic climate of the third quarter of 2011. ”Specifically, it presents statistics on average monthly income, participation in government-sponsored social welfare or social insurance programs, and labor force activity during the period." Source: USDOC-Census

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• U.S. Mass Layoffs – March 2013

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Employers took 1,337 mass layoff actions [SA] in March involving 127,939 workers as measured by new filings for unemployment insurance benefits during the month. Each mass layoff involved at least 50 workers from a single employer. Mass layoff events [SA] decreased by 85 from February, and the number of associated initial claims decreased by 7,529. NSA: The number of mass layoff events in March was 1,132, not seasonally adjusted, resulting in 114,897 initial claims for unemployment insurance. Click on chart to enlarge. Source: USDOL

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• U.S. New Home Sales – March 2013

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Sales of new single-family houses in March 2013 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 417,000.. This is 1.5 percent (±16.9%) above the revised February rate of 411,000 and is 18.5 percent (±17.2%) above the March 2012 estimate of 352,000. The median sales price of new houses sold in March 2013 was $247,000; the average sales price was $279,900. The seasonally adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of March was 153,000. This represents a supply of 4.4 months at the current sales rate. Source: USDOC-Census

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• Facts About U.S. Mother's Day: May 12, 2013

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“The driving force behind Mother's Day was Anna Jarvis, who organized observances in Grafton, W.Va., and Philadelphia on May 10, 1908. As the annual celebration became popular around the country, Jarvis asked members of Congress to set aside a day to honor mothers. She succeeded in 1914, when Congress designated the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. ”How Many Mothers? ”4.1 million U.S. women between the ages of 15 and 50 gave birth in the past 12 months….” Full report: USDOC-Census

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• U.S. Existing Home Sales – March 2013

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“Existing-home sales eased in March from inventory constraints, which continued to pressure home prices, according to the National Association of Realtors®. ”Total existing-home sales1, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, declined 0.6 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.92 million in March from a downwardly revised 4.95 million in February, but remain 10.3 percent higher than the 4.46 million-unit pace in March 2012.” Source: National Association of Realtors

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• U.S. Regional and State Employment and Unemployment -- March 2013

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Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed in March. Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate decreases, 7 states had increases, and 17 states had no change. Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia had unemployment rate decreases from a year earlier, eight states had increases, and three states had no change. The national jobless rate was little changed from February at 7.6 percent but was 0.6 percentage point lower than in March 2012. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Leading Index - March 2013 [Indicators]

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“The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for the U.S. declined 0.1 percent in March to 94.7 (2004 = 100), following a 0.5 percent increase in February, and a 0.5 percent increase in January.” Source: The Conference Board

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• Connecticut’s Labor Situation – March 2013 [Employment, unemployment, wages, hours]

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Connecticut nonfarm employment in March partially rebounded by 2,600 jobs or 0.2% (seasonally adjusted) from a large employment decline last month (-5,700, -0.4%). Four of ten industry supersectors experienced job increases in March, while six posted declines. Click on chart to enlarge. Since March 2012, the state has added just 1,000 positions (0.1%). Source: CTDOL

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• Connecticut Economy in Crisis

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“Connecticut's massive long-term debt, deep pockets of poverty and more than 20 years of stagnant job growth threaten to sink the state's economy for decades unless major reforms are enacted, according to a report Wednesday from a national fiscal responsibility group and the University of Connecticut's economic think-tank.” Source: CTMirror.org

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• U.S. College Grads: Average Starting Salaries for Bachelor’s Degrees

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“The average starting salary for new college graduates earning bachelor’s degrees has increased 5.3 percent over last year, according to a new report by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). ”NACE’s April 2013 Salary Survey—the first look at starting salaries for the Class of 2013—found that the average starting salary for these college graduates stands at $44,928, up from the 2012 average salary of $42,666.” Details by Major: NACEWeb.org

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• Median Weekly Earnings of U.S. Workers [Wages, salaries, inflation]

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Median weekly earnings of the nation's 102.6 million full-time wage and salary workers were $773 in the first quarter of 2013 (not seasonally adjusted). This was 0.5 percent higher than a year earlier, compared with a gain of 1.7 percent in the CPI-U. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment [Jobless] Claims Up 4k

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In the week ending April 13, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 352,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 348,000 but down 9.0% from the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 361,250, an increase of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average of 358,500. Click on chart to enlarge The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.4 percent for the week ending April 6, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 30 were in Alaska (5.3), Puerto Rico (4.5), New Jersey (3.9), Connecticut (3.7), Pennsylvania (3.7), Wisconsin (3.7), Rhode Island (3.6), Montana (3.5), California (3.4), and Oregon (3.4). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending April 6 were in New York (+20,120), North Carolina (+4,403), Ohio (+3,029), Michigan (+2,894), and Texas (+2,445), while the largest decreases were in California (-12,893), Kentucky (-1,318), Pennsylvania (-1,299), Indiana (-1,066), and Nevada (-761). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. College Enrollment and Work Activity of 2012 High School Graduates

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In October 2012, 66.2 percent of 2012 high school graduates were enrolled in colleges or universities. Recent high school graduates not enrolled in college in October 2012 were more likely than enrolled graduates to be working or looking for work (69.6 percent compared with 38.2 percent). Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Industrial Production – March 2013 [Capacity utilization, index]

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Industrial production rose 0.4 percent in March after having increased 1.1 percent in February. For the first quarter as a whole, output moved up at an annual rate of 5.0 percent, its largest gain since the first quarter of 2012. Manufacturing output edged down 0.1 percent in March after having risen 0.9 percent in February; the index advanced at an annual rate of 5.3 percent in the first quarter. Production at mines decreased 0.2 percent in March and edged down in the first quarter. In March, the output of utilities jumped 5.3 percent, as unusually cold weather drove up heating demand. At 99.5 percent of its 2007 average, total industrial production in March was 3.5 percent above its year-earlier level. The rate of capacity utilization for total industry moved up in March to 78.5 percent, a rate that is 1.2 percentage points above its level of a year earlier but 1.7 percentage points below its long-run (1972--2012) average. Source: Federal Reserve

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• U.S. Building Permits, Housing Starts – March 2013 [Home construction]

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Building Permits: Privately-owned housing units authorized by building permits in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 902,000. This is 3.9 percent (±0.9%) below the revised February rate of 939,000, but is 17.3 percent (±1.4%) above the March 2012 estimate of 769,000. Single-family authorizations in March were at a rate of 595,000; this is 0.5 percent (±0.7%) below the revised February figure of 598,000. Authorizations of units in buildings with five units or more were at a rate of 283,000 in March. Housing Starts: Privately-owned housing starts in March were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,036,000. This is 7.0 percent (±11.8%) above the revised February estimate of 968,000 and is 46.7 percent (±13.9%) above the March 2012 rate of 706,000. Single-family housing starts in March were at a rate of 619,000; this is 4.8 percent (±10.8%) below the revised February figure of 650,000. The March rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 392,000. Source: USDOC-Census

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• U.S. Real Earnings – March 2013 [Pay, inflation, wages, salaries]

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Real average hourly earnings rose 0.2 percent in March, seasonally adjusted as average hourly earnings remained unchanged and the CPI-U fell 0.2 percent. Real average weekly earnings rose 0.5 percent over the month. Click on chart to enlarge. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Consumer Price Index – March 2013 [Inflation, CPI]

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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.5 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 232.773 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. Click on chart to enlarge The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.3 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 229.323 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.3 percent prior to seasonal adjustment. The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.4 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the post-2011 period are subject to revision. The Consumer Price Index for April 2013 is scheduled to be released on Thursday, May 16, 2013, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT). Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Business Sales, Inventories – February 2013

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Sales: The combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments for February, adjusted for seasonal and trading-day differences but not for price changes, was estimated at $1,286.7 billion, up 1.2 percent (±0.2) from January 2013 and up 3.7 percent (±0.4) from February 2012. Inventories: Manufacturers’ and trade inventories, adjusted for seasonal variations but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $1,642.1 billion, up 0.1 percent (±0.1) from January 2013 and up 4.9 percent (±0.4) from February 2012. Inventories/Sales Ratio: The total business inventories/sales ratio based on seasonally adjusted data at the end of February was 1.28. The February 2012 ratio was 1.26. Source: USDOC-Census

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• U.S. Consumer Sentiment – April 2013

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“The April preliminary survey of consumer sentiment from Reuters and the University of Michigan: 72.3. ”Final reading for March was 78.6” Source: FoxLive.com

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• U.S. Retail Sales – March 2013

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U.S. retail and food services sales for March, adjusted for seasonal variation and holiday and trading-day differences, but not for price changes, were $418.3 billion, a decrease of 0.4 percent (±0.5%) from the previous month, but 2.8 percent (±0.7%) above March 2012. Total sales for the January through March 2013 period were up 3.7 percent (±0.5%) from the same period a year ago. The January to February 2013 percent change was revised from +1.1 percent (±0.5%) to +1.0 percent (±0.2%). Retail trade sales were down 0.6 percent (±0.5%) from February 2013, but 2.6 percent (±0.8%) above last year. Nonstore retailers were up 13.5 percent (±2.3%) from March 2012 and auto and other motor vehicle dealers were up 7.4 percent (±2.1%) from last year. Source: USDOC-Census

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• U.S. Producer Price Index – March 2013

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The Producer Price Index for finished goods decreased 0.6 percent in March, seasonally adjusted. Finished goods prices rose 0.7 percent in February and 0.2 percent in January. At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods fell 0.9 percent in March, and the crude goods index declined 2.5 percent. On an unadjusted basis, prices for finished goods increased 1.1 percent for the 12 months ended March 2013, the smallest year-over-year advance since a 0.5- percent rise in July 2012. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment [Jobless] Claims Down 42k

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In the week ending April 6, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 346,000, a decrease of 42,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 388,000 and down 8.5% from the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 358,000, an increase of 3,000 from the previous week's revised average of 355,000. The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 2.4 percent for the week ending March 30, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 23 were in Alaska (5.5), Puerto Rico (4.3), California (3.8), New Jersey (3.8), Rhode Island (3.8), Connecticut (3.7), Pennsylvania (3.7), Wisconsin (3.6), Massachusetts (3.5), and Montana (3.5). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending March 30 were in Pennsylvania (+3,015), New Jersey (+2,409), Illinois (+2,149), Kentucky (+1,718), and Wisconsin (+1,583), while the largest decreases were in Texas (-3,489), California (-2,661), North Carolina (-1,601), Arkansas (-1,221), and Connecticut (-774). Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Employment in Major Metropolitan Areas – February 2013

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Jobless rates were lower in February than a year earlier in 287 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 69, and unchanged in 16. Nonfarm payroll employment was up in 303 metropolitan areas over the year, down in 58, and unchanged in 11. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Job Openings and Labor Turnover – February 2013

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There were 3.9 million job openings on the last business day of February, up from 3.6 million in January. The hires rate (3.3 percent) and separations rate (3.1 percent) were little changed in February). Source: USDOL-BLS

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• Despite Pay Freeze, Average Federal Salary Rises

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“The figure commonly used as the 'average' federal employee salary is up to almost $78,500.” Source: WashingtonPost.com

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• Human Resources Manager Accused of Stealing $1 Million from Company

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“Fox is accused of using the man’s name and a Guaranty Bank account she set up to steal $865,000 in payroll checks. ”Authorities say she used the names of six other former employees to take $95,000 more.” Source: Fox6Now.com Note: An accusation does not necessarily indicate guilt

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• U.S. Online Help-Wanted Advertising – March 2013

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“Online advertised vacancies dropped 158,000 in March to 4,898,700 in The Conference Board Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Data Series released today. The March drop follows a small dip in February (44,400); the two combined offset the January gain. "The Supply/Demand rate stands at 2.4 unemployed for every vacancy. In February, there were 7 million more unemployed than the number of advertised vacancies, down from 11.9 million at the end of the recession in June 2009.” Source: The Conference Board

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• Connecticut Unemployment Insurance Special Assessments to Be Mailed in August

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The state’s current loan balance with the U.S. Department of Labor is approximately $670 million, but the Agency expects to make a voluntary loan payment in June of this year. In addition, the federal interest rate on trust fund loans for 2013 has been lowered again, to 2.5765%. As a result, this year’s Special Assessment is projected to be reduced for the second consecutive year, to approximately $20 million. This equates to approximately $1.10 per thousand dollars of taxable payroll, or about $16.50 per full time employee. For example, an employer with 10 workers can expect to receive an August 2013 assessment of approximately $165. Source: CTDOL

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• U.S. Job Market for Recent College Graduates

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“In October 2011, the unemployment rate for 20- to 29-year-olds who had graduated from college in 2011 was 12.6 percent. The rate was 13.5 percent for those who recently had earned bachelor's degrees and 8.6 percent for those who recently had earned advanced degrees. "Despite modest improvement since the most recent peak in October 2009, the unemployment rates of recent college graduates remained above the rates prior to the 2007–2009 recession.” Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. International Trade In Goods And Services - February 2013[Import, Export, Balance, Deficit]

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Total February exports of $186.0 billion and imports of $228.9 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $43.0 billion, down from $44.5 billion in January, revised. February exports were $1.6 billion more than January exports of $184.4 billion. February imports were $0.1 billion more than January imports of $228.9 billion. Source: USDOC-BEA

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• U.S. Employment Situation – March 2013 [Wages, hours, unemployment]

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Both the number of unemployed persons, at 11.7 million, and the unemployment rate, at 7.6 percent, were little changed in March. Click on chart to enlarge Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult men (6.9 percent), adult women (7.0 percent), teenagers (24.2 percent), whites (6.7 percent), blacks (13.3 percent), and Hispanics (9.2 percent) showed little or no change in March. The jobless rate for Asians was 5.0 percent (not seasonally adjusted), little changed from a year earlier. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• U.S. Initial Unemployment [Jobless] Claims Up 28kk

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In the week ending March 30, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 385,000, an increase of 28,000 from the previous week's unrevised figure of 357,000 and 4.6% above the number for the same week a year ago. The 4-week moving average was 354,250, an increase of 11,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 343,000: The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate* was 2.4 percent for the week ending March 23, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate. The highest insured unemployment rates in the week ending March 16 were in Alaska (5.7), Puerto Rico (4.4), New Jersey (4.0), Rhode Island (4.0), Pennsylvania (3.9), Connecticut (3.8), Montana (3.8), Wisconsin (3.7), California (3.6), and Massachusetts (3.6). The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending March 23 were in California (+8,712), Texas (+2,736), Kansas (+1,611), Arkansas (+1,542), and Pennsylvania (+1,448), while the largest decreases were in Virginia (-1,117), Massachusetts (-804), South Carolina (-602), Puerto Rico (-529), and North Carolina (-503). Click on chart to enlarge *Note: “Insured unemployment rate” refers to individuals who are unemployed and receiving UC benefits. Source: USDOL-BLS

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• Milford Employer to Layoff

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The CTDOL says that the Warnaco Group, Inc. of Milford will layoff 208 employees beginning on or about 6/1/13. Source: CTDOL

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• “EEOC Releases 2012 Discrimination Data “

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“The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued figures related to workplace discrimination charges filed with it in fiscal year 2012.” Source: BLR.com/HR

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• “AEDs in the Workplace: Benefit or Burden?“

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“An automated external defibrillator (AEDs) in the workplace could be a lifesaver. "But malfunctions and recalls, legal requirements, and costs and potential liability have kept some organizations from buying in.” Source: SHRM

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• U.S. Factory Orders – February 2013

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New orders for manufactured goods in February, up two of the last three months, increased $14.5 billion or 3.0 percent to $492.0 billion. This was at the highest level since 1992 and followed a 1.0 percent January decrease. Excluding transportation, new orders increased 0.3 percent. Source: USDOC-Census

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• U.S. Construction Spending – February 2013

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Construction spending during February 2013 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $885.1 billion, 1.2 percent (±1.5%) above the revised January estimate of $874.8 billion. The February figure is 7.9 percent (±2.1%) above the February 2012 estimate of $820.7 billion. During the first 2 months of this year, construction spending amounted to $120.1 billion, 6.6 percent (±1.8%) above the $112.6 billion for the same period in 2012. Source: USDOC-Census

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• U.S. Purchasing Managers Manufacturing Report – March 2013

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“Manufacturing expanded in March as the PMI™ registered 51.3 percent, a decrease of 2.9 percentage points when compared to February's reading of 54.2 percent. "This month's reading reflects the fourth consecutive month of growth in the manufacturing sector. "A reading above 50 percent indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; below 50 percent indicates that it is generally contracting.” Source: Institute for Supply Management

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