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Philadelphia Nonmanufacturing activity increased in February
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Responses to this month's Nonmanufacturing Business Outlook Survey suggest that local nonmanufacturing activity increased in February. The survey's indicators for general activity, new orders, and sales or revenues all rebounded from last month's lower readings. Responding firms continue to be optimistic about activity over the next six months.
Nonmanufacturing Activity Picked Up
The diffusion index for current activity at the firm level increased from 8.8 in January to 51.0 in February, its highest reading since June 2014 (see Chart 1 above). More than 61 percent of the respondents reported increases in activity, up from 44 percent last month. Firms perceived increasing activity for the region as well, and the general activity index also rose, to 46.9. The more than 55 percent of the respondents who indicated increasing activity in the region far exceeded the 8 percent who indicated decreasing activity.
New Orders and Sales or Revenues Rebounded
Demand for firms' services, as measured by the new orders and sales/revenues indexes, rose this month after falling sharply last month (see Chart 2 below). The new orders index increased from 14.7 in January to 32.7 in February. The share of firms reporting increases in new orders this month (47 percent) grew from last month; furthermore, the percentage of firms reporting decreases declined from 27 percent last month to 14 percent this month. This month's increase in the sales/revenues index exceeded its decline last month, increasing 34 points to 42.9. More than 57 percent of the firms reported increases in sales or revenues compared with 38 percent last month.
Labor Market Indicators Were Positive
Survey results suggest generally positive labor market conditions this month. The full-time employment index edged down 3 points, to 14.3, its second consecutive decrease. The percentage of firms reporting increases in full-time staff (27 percent) exceeded the percentage of firms reporting decreases (12 percent). The part-time employment index increased for the second consecutive month, from 20.6 in January to 24.5 in February. The workweek index increased for the first time since October 2014, to 16.3, after turning negative in January.
Firms Reported an Increase in Prices Received
The prices of inputs rose for firms in February, on balance, as the index for prices paid edged up to 16.3 from 14.7 last month. The percentage of respondents reporting increases in input prices (22 percent) exceeded the percentage of respondents reporting decreases (6 percent), and most respondents (55 percent) reported no change. Firms also reported increases in prices for their own goods and services. Nearly 27 percent of the respondents reported higher prices received, up from 18 percent last month, while the percentage of firms reporting decreases declined from 15 percent last month to 6 percent this month. Overall, the prices received index increased for the first time in three months, rising 18 points to 20.4.
Capital Expenditures Growth Remained Positive
Firms continued to report increases, on net, in capital expenditures this month, and both spending indexes improved upon last month's readings. The index for expenditures on physical plant rose 9 points, to 12.2. The share of respondents reporting increases (16 percent) exceeded the share reporting decreases (4 percent). The equipment and software expenditures index also increased, from 20.6 last month to 24.5 this month, as a smaller percentage of firms reported decreases in expenditures this month (6 percent) compared with last month (12 percent).
Future Indicators Remain High
Optimism about future activity over the next six months remained widespread and further improved at the individual firm level. The firm-level future general activity index increased 20 points, to 81.6, its highest reading since June 2014 (see Chart 1 above). Nearly 82 percent of the firms expect activity to increase over the next 6 months compared with 62 percent last month. None of the respondents expect activity six months from now to decrease either at their own firms or in the region. The future activity index for the region decreased slightly but also remained high, at 81.6.
Summary
The February Nonmanufacturing Business Outlook Survey results suggest increased activity in the region among nonmanufacturing firms. Index readings for general activity at both the company and regional levels, new orders, and sales/revenues rebounded from their drops last month. Firms remained optimistic about future growth.
Posted: February 24, 2015 Tuesday 10:00 AM