Research >> Economics
Kansas City Fed Manufacturing Activity Decreased Further in April
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Tenth District manufacturing activity decreased further to the lowest reading in survey history (since 1994), while expectations for future activity improved but remained slightly negative. Month-over-month price indexes declined again in April, but District firms expected prices to rise slightly in the next six months.
Factory Activity Decreased Further in April
The month-over-month composite index was -30 in April, the lowest composite reading in survey history, and down considerably from -17 in March and 5 in February. The composite index is an average of the production, new orders, employment, supplier delivery time, and raw materials inventory indexes. The decrease in district manufacturing activity was steepest at durable goods factories such as primary and fabricated metals, and activity at non-durable goods plants including food and beverage manufacturing declined as well. All month-over-month indexes dropped further in April except for supplier delivery time which continued to increase. Year-over-year factory indexes also decreased again in April, and the composite index fell from -14 to -30. The future composite index improved from -19 April, but remained slightly negative at -6.
Special Questions
This month contacts were asked special questions about measures taken to cover shortfalls in revenues and changes in employment as a result of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Approximately 67 percent of factory contacts reported applying for the SBA PPP program, more than 37 percent reported having drawn down cash reserves, and 28 percent made increased use of a credit line or took out a new loan. A number of firms reported applying for emergency governmental funding, but had not received funds yet. Regarding employment changes in response to coronavirus, a third of firms reported using PTO, 23 percent of firms used part-time or reduced staffing levels, and around 20 percent of manufacturers had layoffs. Additionally, 57 percent of firms reported taking other measures regarding employment in response to coronavirus, such as remaining fully staffed, increasing work from home, cutting overtime, and implementing more hygiene and social distancing measures at plants.
Posted: April 23, 2020 Thursday 11:00 AM