Washington, D.C. ? Fresh signs emerged Monday that the recession is letting up.

Manufacturing’s slide is slowing. Builders are boosting spending on construction projects — including homes. And consumers aren’t cutting back as much as some had feared.

A trio of reports gave Wall Street a big lift on the same day that industrial icon General Motors Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection.

Investors and economists focused instead on the encouraging news about the economy.

The Dow Jones industrial average jumped 221 points, or 2.6 percent. And the Standard & Poor’s 500 index and Nasdaq composite reached their highest levels this year.

Economists were especially heartened by a report from the Institute for Supply Management that showed U.S. manufacturing activity shrinking at a slower pace in May. Reports from Asia and Europe indicated similar improvements in their manufacturing sectors.