US manufacturing activity expanded by the most since mid-2022 as production and factory employment growth accelerated along with measures of inflation. The S&P Global flash March factory purchasing managers index edged up 0.3 point to 52.5, marking the third straight month above a level of 50 that indicates expansion. Manufacturing output growth was the strongest since May 2022, driven by improving demand both at home and abroad, while the employment gauge reached an eight-month high. The group’s composite measure of prices received by manufacturers and service providers rose to an almost one-year high on the back ... (full story)