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Richmond Fed's Current Activity Index gained 8 to −9
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Manufacturing activity in the central Atlantic region contracted at a less pronounced rate this month, after deteriorating in July, according to the Richmond Fed's latest seasonally adjusted survey. Looking at the main components of activity, shipments edged higher, employment turned negative, and the weakness in new orders moderated somewhat. Evidence of diminished weakness was also reflected in most other indicators. District contacts reported that backlogs, capacity utilization, and delivery times remained negative but improved from July readings. Moreover, finished goods inventories grew at a slightly slower pace, while growth in raw materials was nearly unchanged.
Looking forward, assessments of business prospects for the next six months were generally in line with last month's readings. Contacts at more firms anticipated steady growth in shipments, new orders, and backlogs in the months ahead, while they expected capacity utilization to grow more quickly.
Survey assessments of current prices revealed that growth in both raw materials and finished goods grew on par with July. Over the next six months, respondents expected growth in both raw materials and finished goods prices to grow at a somewhat quicker pace than they had anticipated last month.
In August, the seasonally adjusted composite index of manufacturing activity — our broadest measure of manufacturing — gained eight points to −9 from July's reading of −17. Among the index's components, shipments increased twenty-four points to 1, new orders picked up five points to end at −20, and the jobs index moved down six points to −5.
Most other indicators also suggested some easing in the pace of recent weakness. The index for capacity utilization picked up seven points to −9, and the backlogs of orders edged up two points to −25. Additionally, the delivery times index added one point to −4, while our gauges for inventories were mixed in August. The raw materials inventory index was virtually unchanged at 24, while the finished goods inventory index fell three points to end at 18.
Posted: August 28, 2012 Tuesday 10:00 AM