Research >> Economics
Philadelphia Fed Outlook Reported Activity continued to grow in January
|
Manufacturing activity in the region continued to grow, according to results from the January Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. The survey’s broad indicators remained positive, although their movements were mixed again this month: The general activity and new orders indicators increased from their readings last month, while the indicators for shipments and employment decreased. The firms reported growth in the underlying demand for their products and are generally optimistic about future growth and employment.
Current Indicators Suggest Growth
The index for current manufacturing activity in the region increased from a revised reading of 9.1 in December to 17.0 this month. Over 30 percent of the manufacturers reported increases in overall activity, while 13 percent reported decreases. The new orders index increased 8 points to 21.3, its highest reading in six months. The current shipments index, however, decreased 1 point to 11.4. Both the unfilled orders and delivery times indexes were positive this month, suggesting higher unfilled orders and slower delivery times. Inventories declined this month: The current inventory index fell 10 points to -7.6, its first negative reading in 14 months.
The firms continued to report overall higher employment, but the current employment index fell nearly 10 points to 9.6, its lowest reading in 16 months. Over 22 percent of the responding firms reported increases in employment this month, while 13 percent of the firms reported decreases in employment. The current workweek index increased 2 points to a reading of 6.0.
Price Index for Inputs Continues Downward Trend
The survey’s diffusion indexes for prices remained positive but decreased from their readings in December. On the cost side, the prices paid index decreased 6 points to 32.7. The index has been trending down since last July and is at its lowest reading in 13 months. With respect to prices received for firms’ own manufactured goods, 29 percent of the firms reported higher prices, and 4 percent reported lower prices. The prices received index decreased 4 points to 24.8.
Most Six-Month Indicators Remain Positive
The diffusion index for future general activity increased slightly, from a revised reading of 29.9 to a reading of 31.2 this month. Over 46 percent of the firms expect increases in activity over the next six months, while 15 percent expect declines. The future new orders index decreased 6 points, but the future shipments index increased 1 point. The future employment index edged up 1 point, with nearly 41 percent of the firms indicating that they expect to add workers over the next six months.
Firms Expect to Increase Production in Near Term
In Special Questions this month, the firms were asked to characterize current demand and production of their manufactured products over the past few months and to forecast their production increases for the first quarter of the year. Most firms (46 percent) reported an increase in underlying demand: Only 11 percent characterized underlying demand as increasing significantly, while 35 percent characterized it as increasing modestly. Over 65 percent of the firms anticipate increasing production in the first quarter, although 29 percent expect decreases. Among those increasing production, one-third indicated this will require hiring additional labor.
Summary
The firms’ responses indicated continued growth in the region’s manufacturing sector this month. The survey’s broad current indicators remained positive, and the indexes for activity and new orders improved. The firms reported moderated increases in employment this month but indicated plans for further increases over the next six months, in line with expanded production of manufactured products. The survey’s future indexes indicate that respondents continue to expect growth over the next six months.
Posted: January 17, 2019 Thursday 08:30 AM