Industrial production rose more than forecast in March after a February gain that was twice as big as previously estimated, indicating U.S. factories recovered after a weather-depressed start to the year.

Consumer spending in the United States climbed more than forecast in January, reflecting the biggest increase in services in over 12 years as Americans began to enroll for the Obama administrations health care program.

Companies including Gap Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. are caught up in the debate over raising pay.

Fewer Americans filed applications for unemployment benefits last week.

Job openings in the fell in December from an almost six-year high and hiring slowed, a sign the labor market cooled at the end of the year.

The 113,000 gain in employment followed a revised 75,000 increase the prior month.

The productivity of U.S. workers rose more than projected in the fourth quarter as the worlds largest economy expanded, helping to restrain labor costs.

Companies added fewer workers than projected in January as colder-than-normal weather limited progress in the U.S. job market.