Economists Expect U.S. Manufacturing To Have Slipped in November

Less spending plus Sandy = Ouch!

Manufacturing in the U.S. probably cooled in November as business demand slowed and disruptions from superstorm Sandy limited production, according to economists surveyed before a report today.

The Institute for Supply Management's factory index fell to 51.5 from 51.7 in October, according to the median estimate of 75 economists surveyed by Bloomberg. A reading of 50 marks the dividing line between expansion and contraction. Other figures today may show construction spending increased in October.

Less corporate spending on equipment as lawmakers debate the nation's budget, weaker orders from overseas and disturbances related to the biggest Atlantic storm ever to hit the U.S. are converging to slow manufacturing. A pickup in home construction as well as rebuilding in the wake of Sandy may offer the economy a lift as support from factories wanes.