Orders of manufactured goods have been picking up in recent months, according to the Institute for Supply Management. That’s a sign that production and hiring could increase in the months ahead.

Order numbers are somewhat distorted by a volatile, expensive durable goods category: commercial airplanes.

Manufacturing has been weak for a while. But companies are optimistic about government investment and a future uptick in demand.

This week, the Census Bureau will report how many manufactured durable goods businesses ordered in May. Many manufacturers haven’t been making as many products, but certain types of equipment are still in high demand.

A burst of orders for Boeing in March juiced the durable goods data.