A closely watched barometer of the US manufacturing sector rose for a second straight month in March, raising hopes that recession-hit US industry may be headed for a recovery.
The National Association of Purchasing Management reported its manufacturing index rose to 43.1 from 41.9 in February. Economists had expected a 41.4 reading in March.
A reading under 50 indicates the sector, which makes up one-fifth of the economy, is shrinking. The index has been below 50 since August 2000.
NAPM reported its new orders index, a gauge of future production, rose in March to 42.3 from 40.8 in February. The sub-50 reading indicates new orders for manufactured goods are still contracting, but the component has now risen for three months.
New export orders rose to 50.6, indicating that foreign orders for US manufactured goods grew for the first time since September 2000. The NAPM employment index rose to 40.4 from a decade low of 37.2 last month.