America’s factories are bracing for trouble and hoping it doesn’t last. The Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index declined to a one-year low of 53.5 from December’s 55.1, according to data from the Tempe, Arizona-based group Monday. Readings greater than 50 signal growth. Another report showed consumer spending fell in December after surging over the previous two months. While gauges of orders, exports and production cooled last month, the comments from respondents were more positive, with the makers of food, autos and computers saying sales remained strong so far in 2015. That signals the 50 percent drop in oil prices in the second half of last year has created winners and losers — energy consumers versus producers — and is making manufacturers hesitate as they await the shakeout. “With the deep downdraft in […]