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Philadelphia Fed Outlook Reported Activity continued to grow in May
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Results from the May Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey suggest continued growth for the region’s manufacturing sector. The survey’s indexes for general activity, shipments, and employment increased from their April readings. The new orders index remained positive but decreased modestly. The survey’s future activity index, after falling in recent months, was little changed, while the firms’ forecast for future employment improved.
Current Indicators Suggest Continued Growth
The diffusion index for current general activity increased from 8.5 in April to 16.6 this month (see Chart 1). Over 25 percent of the manufacturers reported increases in overall activity this month, while 9 percent reported decreases. The indexes for current shipments and new orders moved in opposite directions this month: The current shipments index increased 9 points, while the new orders index fell 5 points. The current inventories index fell 6 points to its first negative reading in four months.
On balance, the firms continued to report increases in employment. The employment diffusion index increased 4 points to 18.2, its highest reading in five months. Nearly 27 percent of the responding firms reported increases in employment, while 8 percent reported decreases this month. The average workweek index remained essentially unchanged at 10.9.
Price Indexes Suggest Continued Modest Price Pressures
Price increases for purchased inputs were reported by 32 percent of the manufacturers this month, up from 26 percent last month. The prices paid diffusion index increased 2 points to 23.1 but remained well below readings over the past two and a half years. The current prices received index, reflecting the manufacturers’ own prices, declined 3 points to a reading of 17.5, its lowest reading in 17 months.
Most Future Indicators Remain at Relatively Low Readings
The diffusion index for future general activity increased 1 point from its April reading, which was its lowest since February 2016 (see Chart 1). Over 41 percent of the firms expect increases in activity over the next six months, while 22 percent expect declines. Movements in the future shipments and new orders indexes were mixed: The future shipments index increased 5 points, while the future new orders index fell 3 points. The indicators for future prices paid and prices received rose notably this month, increasing 16 points and 13 points, respectively. The firms were more optimistic about hiring over the next six months: The future employment index increased 12 points to 27.3, its highest reading in four months. The future capital spending index, however, fell 8 points to a reading of 23.3. Nearly 34 percent of the firms plan increases in capital spending over the next six months; 10 percent plan decreases.
Firms’ Expectations for Own Prices Changed Little
In this month’s special questions, the firms were asked to forecast the changes in the prices of their own products and for U.S. consumers over the next four quarters. Regarding their own prices, the firms’ median forecast was for an increase of 2.8 percent, about the same as when the question was last asked in February. The firms expect their employee compensation costs (wages plus benefits on a per employee basis) to rise 3.0 percent over the next four quarters, the same as the previous forecast. When asked about the rate of inflation for U.S. consumers over the next year, the firms’ median forecast was 2.5 percent, an increase from 2.3 percent in the previous quarter. The firms’ median forecast for the long-run (10-year average) inflation rate remained steady at 2.5 percent.
Summary
Responses to the May Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey suggest continued growth for the region’s manufacturing sector. The indexes for general activity, new orders, shipments, and employment all indicated continued expansion this month. The firms continued to be cautiously optimistic about growth over the next six months. Although some future indicators registered improvement, most indexes remain at relatively low readings.
Posted: May 16, 2019 Thursday 08:30 AM