The ISM Manufacturing Index rose from 48.3 in February to 48.6 in March, better than an expected decline to 47.5. New orders declined from 49.1 to 46.5, while the employment index edged up from 46.0 to 49.2. The prices paid index rose from 75.5 to 83.5.
Construction spending in February fell 0.3%, less than the drop of 1.0% estimated, and January's number was revised to a smaller decline.
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