Research >> Economics
Texas Fed Manufacturing Activity Expands Again in August
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Texas factory activity continued to increase in August, according to business executives responding to the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey. The production index, a key measure of state manufacturing conditions, edged down to 20.3, indicating output grew but at a slightly slower pace than in July.
Other measures of current manufacturing activity also indicated continued growth. The new orders and the growth rate of orders indexes ticked down but stayed solidly positive, coming in at 14.3 and 11.7, respectively. The capacity utilization index fell six points to 12.2, while the shipments index increased seven points to 18.1.
Perceptions of broader business conditions remained positive in August. The general business activity index was largely unchanged at a robust 17.0. The company outlook index posted its 12th consecutive positive reading but slipped 10 points to 16.3 after surging to a multiyear high last month.
Labor market measures suggested continued employment gains and longer workweeks this month. The employment index came in at 9.9, slightly below the July reading, extending this year’s string of positive readings. Eighteen percent of firms noted net hiring, compared with eight percent noting net layoffs. The hours worked index rose five points to 14.5.
Upward pressure on prices and wages increased in August. The raw materials prices index pushed up 11 points to 26.9, reaching its highest level in six months. The finished goods prices index climbed five points to 10.2. The wages and benefits index also rose, up six points to 26.9.
Expectations regarding future business conditions continued to improve. The indexes of future general business activity and future company outlook remained elevated at 29.2 and 34.5, respectively. Other indexes of future manufacturing activity showed mixed movements but remained solidly in positive territory.
Posted: August 28, 2017 Monday 10:30 AM