Research >> Economics
Philadelphia Fed Outlook Reported Indicators Are Mixed in May
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Firms responding to the Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey reported little growth this month. Though the indicator for general activity was positive in June, other broad indicators continued to reflect general weakness in business conditions. The indicators for both employment and work hours remained negative. Forecasts of future activity weakened from last month but continued to suggest that manufacturers expect growth over the next six months.
Current Indicators Are Mixed
The diffusion index for current activity rose almost 7 points, to 4.7, and returned to positive territory this month after two consecutive negative readings. About one-quarter of the firms reported increases in activity, similar to last month, while 20 percent of the firms reported decreases, down from 26 percent last month. More than 52 percent of the firms reported steady activity. The current new orders and shipments indexes, however, remained slightly negative, slipping 1 and 2 points, respectively. Nearly 55 percent of the respondents reported no change in new orders this month, and 45 percent reported no change in shipments. As with the other broad indicators this month, the unfilled orders, delivery times, and inventories indexes all remained negative.
The survey’s labor market indicators suggest continued weak employment conditions. The employment index was negative for the sixth consecutive month, falling from –3.3 in May to –10.9 in June. Though nearly 72 percent of the firms reported no change in employment this month, the percentage reporting decreases (20 percent) exceeded the percentage reporting increases (9 percent). The average workweek index edged up slightly but remained negative, at –13.1.
More Firms Report Input Price Increases
Though most firms (68 percent) reported no changes in prices for inputs, more than 26 percent of the firms reported increases in input prices this month. The prices paid index rose for the fourth consecutive month, climbing 7 points to 23.0. The respondents reported moderating prices for their own goods, as the prices received index decreased from 14.8 in May to 3.9 in June. The percentage of firms indicating an increase (14 percent) edged out the percentage of firms indicating a decrease (11 percent), and three-quarters of the firms reported no change.
Future Growth Expectations Soften but Remain Positive
The survey’s future indicators decreased for the second consecutive month but continue to suggest that firms expect growth through the end of the year. The diffusion index for future general activity declined from 36.1 in May to 29.8 in June (see Chart). More than 46 percent of the firms expect an increase in activity over the next six months, while 16 percent expect a decline. Indicators for future new orders and shipments also declined, falling 10 points and 6 points, respectively. The future employment index edged down slightly, to 11.2. Almost 26 percent of the surveyed firms expect to increase employment levels over the next six months, a slight improvement from last month. Firms also foresee increases in prices: The indexes for future prices paid and received both rose.
Most Firms Expect Increased Production in the Third Quarter
In this month’s special questions, firms were asked to estimate their total production growth for the second quarter ending this month along with expected growth for the third quarter. The share of firms reporting increases in second-quarter production (44 percent) was slightly greater than the share reporting decreases (40 percent). Looking ahead to the third quarter, 45 percent of the firms forecast acceleration in the rate of production, while 26 percent of the firms forecast deceleration. For those firms expecting to accelerate production, respondents indicated this would be achieved by increasing the productivity of current workers (42 percent) rather than increasing work hours of current staff (29 percent) or hiring additional workers (23 percent).
Summary
This month’s Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey suggests tepid growth of the region’s manufacturing sector. The survey’s indicator for general activity returned to positive territory, but indicators for new orders, shipments, and employment remained negative. Though indicators for future conditions fell from last month’s readings, firms continued to expect future growth.
Posted: June 16, 2016 Thursday 08:30 AM