Summary Box: Home sales, manufacturing lift economy in April

Summary Box: Home sales lift economy in April

ORDERS UP: Orders for large manufactured goods increased 2.9 percent in April on rising demand for commercial aircraft.

HOUSING SALES: Sales of new single-family homes surged 14.8 percent as buyers rushed to take advantage of expiring tax credits.

OUTLOOK: Economists say the second quarter has gotten off to a good start but they worry that manufacturing could suffer if exports are hurt by the European debt crisis. They expect home sales to slow with the expiration of the tax credits.