US mfg, constn growth quickens

Growth in US manufacturing accelerated in March from the previous month. The Institute for Supply Management's growth index rose to 53.7 from 53.2 in February. A reading above 50 indicates expansion. Manufacturing was spurred on by factories' productivity as they recovered from the severe winter weather. Meanwhile, US construction spending also rose in February compared with January, said the Commerce Department, according to a news agency.