Most main market teams posted decreases in April. The manufacturing of client items fell 1.2 p.c, with declines for each durables and nondurables. The index for sturdy client items moved down 0.eight p.c, principally due to a drop within the output of automotive merchandise, whereas the output of nondurables was held down by sizable declines for each chemical merchandise and client vitality merchandise.
Manufacturing decreased for enterprise tools, development provides, and enterprise provides, however output superior for protection and house tools and for supplies. Among the many elements of supplies, a drop for durables was greater than offset by positive aspects for nondurable and vitality supplies.