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Factory output barely climbed in March, marked by a rebound in auto making as other industries retreated, indicating a strong dollar and cheap oil are hurting American manufacturing.

Sales at U.S. retailers rose less than forecast in March after being depressed by harsh winter weather, signaling consumers are intent on not overextending themselves.

Retail gasoline prices declined for a second time since a March peak in the Lundberg Survey as U.S. refineries ran at the highest seasonal rates in a decade.

Consumer confidence increased last week to an almost eight-year high as Americans viewed the U.S. economy in a more favorable light and said it was better time to spend.

Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits over the past four weeks than at any time in almost 15 years, signaling underlying strength in the labor market even as hiring cooled last month.

Service industries grew in March at about the same pace as a month earlier, indicating the biggest part of the U.S. economy is holding up.

The trade deficit in the U.S. shrank in February to the lowest level in more than five years as a labor dispute at West Coast ports contributed to the weakest reading on purchases from abroad since 2011.

The fewest Americans in nine weeks filed applications for unemployment benefits, a sign of further strength in the labor market that will continue to support the U.S. expansion.

The Conference Board’s index of leading economic indicators, a measure of the outlook for the next three to six months, rose 0.2% in February for a second month, the New York-based group said March 19.