Manufacturing and Construction Data Up From 2011 Lows

Data released last night and today shows a small improvement in the Manufacturing PMI Indices in China, Europe, Britain, and the U.S., and a small improvement in Construction Spending and Manufacturing Prices in the U.S., as shown on the graphs below.

Since the last several months' worth of data has bounced a bit after large declines in 2011, it will be worth noting whether the weak trend is actually ending and strengthening into 2012, or whether this is just a blip before further weakness settles in.