U.S. factory index shows modest improvement in March

Date: Wed, Apr 1, 2009 at 12:01 PM

U.S. factory index shows modest improvement in March

Despite some improvement in new orders, the U.S. industrial sector contracts
for the 14th consecutive month in March, the Institute for Supply Management
reports.

ECONOMIC REPORT: PRIVATE SECTOR CUTS 742,000 JOBS IN MARCH, ADP SAYS

The U.S. labor market worsens again in March, as private-sector firms cut
742,000 jobs, signaling another terrible employment report on Friday, according
to the ADP employment index.

MOST ASIA SHARES UP; NIKKEI IGNORES TANKAN TO JUMP

Most Asian markets advance Wednesday after a roller-coaster ride, with Japanese
shares jumping as the yen's recent weakness and overnight gains on Wall Street
lift exporters and financial shares on the first day of a new financial year.

G20 DISAGREEMENTS 'VASTLY OVERSTATED,' OBAMA SAYS

Disputes over government spending and overhauling financial regulations have
been overstated and won't stand in the way of significant action by the Group
of 20 to deal with the worst economic crisis since World War II, President
Barack Obama says at a news conference.

CHINA'S MANUFACTURING DOWN IN MARCH BUT OFF LOWS, DATA SHOW

The business environment for Chinese manufacturers continues to deteriorate at
a quick pace, though the drop in March is less severe than in preceding months.