US DATA: March Dallas Fed Mfg Outlook text: “Texas factory
activity continued to increase in March. The production index, a key
measure of state manufacturing conditions, held steady at 11.1,
suggesting growth continued at about the same pace as last month. Most
other measures of current manufacturing conditions also indicated
continued expansion in March, although new orders stagnated. The
shipments index rose from 4.2 to 8.6, with more than a quarter of
manufacturers noting an increase in shipment volumes.” Special questions
on hiring plans: “More than half of respondents expect their firm to
increase employment over the next six to twelve months.”