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Texas Fed Manufacturing Activity Continued to Expand in January
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Texas factory activity continued to expand in January, according to business executives responding to the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey. The production index, a key measure of state manufacturing conditions, rose from 7.3 to 14.5, indicating an acceleration in output growth.
Other measures of manufacturing activity also suggested continued expansion in January, although the pace of demand growth slowed a bit. The capacity utilization index rose seven points to 14.8, and the shipments index rose five points to 11.4. Meanwhile, the new orders index edged down to 11.6 and the growth rate of new orders index fell from 5.8 to 1.2.
Perceptions of broader business conditions improved in January. The general business activity index rebounded from a multiyear low of -5.1 in December to 1.0 in January. This near-zero reading suggests manufacturers were fairly balanced in their assessment of whether activity had improved or worsened from last month. The company outlook index also rebounded from negative territory this month, rising more than 10 points to 7.1.
Labor market measures suggested slower growth in employment and workweek length in January. The employment index retreated four points to 6.6, a two-year low. Sixteen percent of firms noted net hiring, compared with 10 percent noting net layoffs. The hours worked index edged down to 3.6.
Upward pressure on input prices and wages eased further in January, while pressure on selling prices held steady. The raw materials price index slipped eight points to 21.2, and the wages and benefits index ticked down two points to 27.4. Meanwhile, the finished goods price index held steady at 6.4.
Expectations regarding future business conditions pushed further positive in January. The indexes of future general business activity and future company outlook rose to 11.7 and 22.3, respectively. Other indexes of future manufacturing activity also posted increases this month.
Posted: January 28, 2019 Monday 10:30 AM