Manufacturing probably accelerated for a fourth straight month in February after Americans picked up the pace of spending a month earlier, economists said before reports today. The Institute for Supply Management’s factory index rose to an eight-month high of 54.5 from 54.1 in January, according to the median estimate of 78 economists surveyed by Bloomberg News. Readings above 50 signal growth. Consumer purchases in January rose 0.4 percent, the biggest gain in four months, a Commerce Department report may show. Manufacturers remain at the forefront of the more than two- year-old expansion, aided by ... (full story)