Individual recruiters are reporting a sprinkling of orders in May that, when taken collectively, might add up to something of a pulse – suggesting a possible reawakening from the terrifying jobs nightmare... Two things are happening: Some employers overshot on layoffs and are beginning to call back workers if only to fill seasonal needs, while others have no more excess fat left to slice and are resorting to furloughs in lieu of layoffs, slowing the jobs purge. -- EconoPlay ahead of May jobs data

The need to replenish badly depleted inventories will put a spark into the moribund manufacturing sector in April and May – but any progress will be fleeting if consumers don’t come to the rescue soon, packaging executives  say.

Indeed, many are bracing for  a renewed economic contraction this summer with the troubled automotive sector leading other unrelated industries down the path of extended plant  shutdowns.

Still, the current restocking is likely to have feel-good implications for second-quarter GDP and just about  any other indicator tied to manufacturing in April, May and maybe June,  reversing the detrimental impact of the first-quarter inventory drawdown. -- EconoPlay on April and May durable goods orders