Research >> Economics
Richmond Fed's Current Activity up 9 to 3
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Manufacturing activity in the central Atlantic region firmed somewhat in June after stalling in May, according to the Richmond Fed’s latest survey. The index of overall activity steadied as a slightly positive reading for new orders coupled with solid employment growth offset a slightly negative reading for shipments. Other indicators were mixed, however. District contacts reported more moderate weakness in backlogs and capacity utilization, but noted that delivery times and finished goods inventories grew at a somewhat quicker pace.
Looking ahead, manufacturers in June were more optimistic about their future business. Survey contacts at an increasing number of firms looked for solid growth in shipments, capacity utilization, new orders and capital expenditures over the next six months.
Survey assessments of current prices revealed that prices of both raw materials and finished goods grew at a more measured rate in June than a month ago. Respondents indicated that during the next six months they expected growth in raw materials to grow more quickly and finished goods prices to maintain a steady pace from what they had anticipated last month.
In June, the seasonally adjusted composite index of manufacturing activity — our broadest measure of the sector — picked up nine points to 3 from May’s reading of -6. Among the index’s components, shipments added twelve points to -1, new orders rose sixteen points to finish at 1, while the jobs index slipped two points to 12.
Other indicators varied. The index for capacity utilization did not quite escape negative territory, gaining ten points to -2, while the backlogs of orders edged up three points to end at -16. In addition, the delivery times index added two points to end at 7, while our gauges for inventories were mixed in June. The finished goods inventory index increased eleven points in June to end at 23, while the raw materials inventories index held constant at 16.
Posted: June 28, 2011 Tuesday 10:00 AM