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Empire State Manufacturing Survey Conditions Improve, First Time in Months
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The February 2013 Empire State Manufacturing Survey indicates that conditions for New York manufacturers improved for the first time since the summer of last year. The general business conditions index rose into positive territory, advancing eighteen points to 10.0. The new orders index also rose sharply, climbing twenty points to 13.3, and the shipments index increased to 13.1. The prices paid index pointed to a continued acceleration in selling prices, and the prices received index, while positive, inched lower. The index for number of employees rose for a third consecutive month and, at 8.1, registered its first positive reading since September, though the average workweek index remained negative. Indexes for the six-month outlook were noticeably higher and suggested a firming in the level of optimism about future business conditions.
In a series of supplementary questions, manufacturers were asked about their 2013 capital spending plans and how the plans compared with actual spending for 2012. Roughly the same proportion of respondents indicated that they expected to raise as to lower capital spending this year. However, the median amount budgeted for 2013 was up 11 percent from what had reportedly been spent in 2012. The most widely cited factor constraining 2013 capital investment plans was tax and regulatory considerations. In the February 2012 and 2011 surveys, more respondents had identified this as a positive than a negative factor.
Business Conditions Improve for the First Time in Months
Business activity expanded for New York manufacturers, according to the February survey. The general business conditions index rose into positive territory for the first time since July 2012, climbing eighteen points to 10.0. Twenty-nine percent of respondents reported that conditions had improved over the month, while 19 percent—a significantly lower percentage than in the January survey—reported that conditions had worsened. The new orders index also rose sharply, climbing twenty points to 13.3, its highest level since mid-2011. The shipments index advanced sixteen points to 13.1, and the unfilled orders index rose six points to -2.0. The delivery time index moved up four points to 2.0, suggesting that delivery times were slightly longer. The inventories index rose nine points to zero—a sign that inventory levels flattened after declining in recent months.
Employment Levels Rise
Input price increases continued to pick up this month. The prices paid index rose for a third consecutive month, advancing four points to 26.3. The prices received index inched down three points to 8.1, pointing to slightly smaller selling price increases. The index for number of employees rose for a third consecutive month, climbing twelve points to 8.1, its first positive reading since September of last year. The average workweek index remained slightly negative and was little changed at -4.0.
Level of Optimism Firms
Indexes for the six-month outlook were noticeably higher this month. The future business conditions index rose eleven points to 33.1, its highest level in several months. The future new orders and shipments indexes also rose, though less steeply. The future prices paid index climbed six points to 44.4, indicating that price increases were expected to pick up, while the future prices received index fell to 13.1. Future employment indexes were positive and higher than last month, suggesting that labor market conditions were expected to improve in the months ahead. The capital expenditures index moved up ten points to 14.1, and the technology spending index climbed to 11.1.
Posted: February 15, 2013 Friday 08:30 AM