Research >> Economics
Philadelphia June Outlook Reflect Continued Growth
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Manufacturing firms responding to the June Business Outlook Survey indicated that regional manufacturing activity expanded this month. The survey's indicators for general activity, new orders, and shipments were positive for the fourth consecutive month and improved from their readings in May. Current employment was also higher among the reporting firms this month. The survey's indicators of future activity improved notably, suggesting that firms are more optimistic about continued growth over the next six months.
Indicators Reflect Continued Growth
The diffusion index of current general activity increased from a reading of 15.4 in May to 17.8 this month. The index has remained positive for four consecutive months and is at its highest reading since last September (see Chart). The current new orders and shipments indexes also moved higher this month, increasing 6 points and 1 point, respectively.
Indicators also suggest improved labor market conditions this month. The employment index remained positive for the 12th consecutive month and increased 4 points. The percentage of firms reporting increases in employment (22 percent) remained higher than the percentage reporting decreases (11 percent). The workweek index was also positive for the fourth consecutive month and increased 4 points.
Firms Report Higher Input Prices
The surveyed respondents indicated that price increases for purchased inputs were more widespread this month. The prices paid index increased 12 points and has now increased 24 points over the past two months. Over 36 percent of the firms reported higher input prices this month compared with 25 percent last month. The prices received index, reflecting firms' own final goods prices, however, declined from 17.0 to 14.1. The percent of firms reporting higher prices (22 percent) exceeded the percentage reporting lower prices (8 percent), but 71 percent of the firms reported steady prices.
Forecast Indicators Show Notable Improvement
Most of the survey's broad indicators of future growth showed notable improvement this month. The future general activity index increased 15 points and is at its highest reading since October (see Chart). The future indexes for new orders and shipments also showed improvement, increasing 21 points and 9 points, respectively. In addition, firms were more optimistic with respect to employment growth: The future employment index rose 7 points. The percentage of firms expecting growth in their employment edged higher, from 31 percent in May to 35 percent this month.
In special questions this month, firms were asked to provide estimates of production growth for the second half of the year compared with the first half (see Special Questions). Nearly 74 percent of the firms forecast positive growth in the second half of the year. Only 13 percent of the firms forecast declines in the second half. About 56 percent of the firms indicated that production growth would represent an acceleration compared with the growth in the first half of the year. Only 17 percent indicated that growth would represent a deceleration. Firms were also asked how production increases would be accomplished in terms of increases in labor inputs. Twenty-nine percent of the firms indicated that they would hire additional workers; 28 percent said the increases would be accomplished by increasing the productivity of their existing workforce without hiring; and 12 percent indicated that they would increase the hours of existing staff without hiring additional workers.
Summary
The June Business Outlook Survey suggests continued expansion of the region's manufacturing sector. Firms reported continued increases in overall activity, new orders, shipments, and employment this month. An increased share of firms reported higher input prices this month. The survey's future activity indexes showed a notable improvement, indicating that firms expect continued growth and employment increases over the next six months.
Posted: June 19, 2014 Thursday 10:00 AM