Research >> Economics
Philadelphia Fed Outlook Reflect a Pickup in Activity in February
|
Firms responding to the Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey reported an improvement in business conditions this month. The indicator for general activity rose sharply in March to its first positive reading in seven months. Other broad indicators offered similar signals of growth: The indexes for shipments and new orders also rose notably. Firms continued to report overall weak employment. With respect to the manufacturers’ forecasts, the survey’s future indicators also showed significant improvement this month.
Current Indicators Reflect a Pickup in Activity
The diffusion index for current activity increased from a reading of -2.8 in February to 12.4 this month, its first positive reading in seven months (see Chart 1). Both the current new orders and shipments indexes also showed improvement this month. The current new orders index returned to positive territory, increasing 21 points to 15.7. Nearly 37 percent of the firms reported an increase in new orders this month. The current shipments index rose 20 points, to 22.1. The unfilled orders and delivery time indexes showed notable improvement, increasing 11 points and 16 points, respectively. While the unfilled orders remained slightly negative, the delivery time index reached its first positive reading in 11 months. Firms continued to report overall declines in inventories.
The survey’s indicators of employment improved but suggest continued weakness. The employment index increased 4 points but remained slightly negative at -1.1. About 67 percent of the firms reported no change in employment this month, and the percentage reporting decreases (17 percent) was slightly larger than the percentage reporting increases (16 percent). Firms reported a slight rise in average work hours: The workweek index increased 19 points and was at its first positive reading in three months.
Output Prices Rise Slightly
Prices received for manufactured goods, on balance, rose slightly this month. The prices received index increased 8 points, to 3.5, its first positive reading in nine months (see Chart 2). But the largest share of firms (81 percent) reported no change in prices this month. Input price pressures remain subdued. The prices paid index, at -0.9, has remained negative for seven consecutive months.
Outlook Improved This Month
The diffusion index for future general activity increased from a reading of 17.3 in February to 28.8 this month. This is the highest reading for the index in four months (see Chart 1). The largest share of firms (41 percent) expects an increase in activity over the next six months, while 13 percent expect declines. The future indexes for new orders and shipments also moved higher this month, increasing 19 points and 14 points, respectively. The future employment index increased more modestly, from 2.3 to 6.3. More than 22 percent of the surveyed firms expect to increase employment levels over the next six months. The indexes for future prices paid and received showed significant improvement this month, both increasing 13 points.
In this month’s special questions, firms were surveyed about their capital spending plans for 2016 compared with actual spending levels in 2015. More than 46 percent of the firms indicated that total capital spending would increase this year compared with 2015, while 31 percent indicated that spending would decrease. Expected high sales growth and the need to replace capital goods were the most cited reasons for the increase. Among the firms that do not plan to increase capital spending, the most cited reasons were low sales growth and low capacity utilization.
Summary
The Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey suggests a pickup in general activity in March. The survey’s indicators for general activity, new orders, and shipments all improved notably from their readings in February. Firms reported that overall employment was steady. Indicators reflecting firms’ expectations for the next six months improved this month.
Posted: March 17, 2016 Thursday 08:30 AM