ECONODAY: Weak exports are pulling down ISM's manufacturing sample whose index fell 1.4 points to 51.5. This is below what was a soft consensus forecast of 52.5 and is the lowest reading since May 2013. New orders fell 7 tenths to 51.8 for its lowest reading since April 2013. New export orders are in contraction for a 3rd straight month, down 1.0 point to 47.5 for their lowest reading since November 2012. There was no net hiring in ISM's sample during March with the employment index at 50.0 which is the lowest reading since May 2013. Prices paid, at 39.0, remains in contraction for a 5th straight month. This report points to another month of trouble for government data on manufacturing, a sector that, due to weak foreign demand, appears to be pulling down the nation's growth...
