Rising factory output and a decline in the pace of layoffs are giving economists confidence that the U.S. recovery has staying power. The government is expected to report today that the economy added jobs in March for only the second time since December 2007. Still, job creation is likely to remain weak for years to come, in part because U.S. factories have become more efficient, producing more goods with fewer workers. On top of that, the sector's contribution to the overall economy has been shrinking for decades due to competition from China and other low-wage countries.

- Associated Press