Research >> Economics
Philadelphia Fed Outlook Reported Activity Continued to Expand in July
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Regional manufacturing activity continued to expand in July, according to results from this month’s Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. All the broad indicators remained positive, with the general activity and new orders indexes improving this month. The survey’s price indexes suggest widespread increases for purchased inputs, and more firms reported price increases for their own manufactured goods. Expectations for the next six months continued to moderate but remain positive overall.
Current Indicators Reflect Continued Growth
The diffusion index for current general activity increased 6 points this month. Over 44 percent of the manufacturers reported increases in overall activity this month, while 19 percent reported decreases. The new orders index rebounded 14 points after falling 23 points in June. Nearly 46 percent of the firms reported an increase in orders, and 14 percent reported declines. The current shipments index, however, decreased 4 points. The firms reported, on balance, increases in unfilled orders and longer delivery times this month.
The firms continued to report overall higher employment, but increases were not as widespread this month. Over 24 percent of the responding firms reported increases in employment this month, down from 34 percent last month. The current employment index fell 14 points to 16.8. The current average workweek index declined 11 points.
More Firms Report Price Increases
The manufacturers continued to report higher prices for both purchased inputs and their own manufactured goods. Price increases for purchased inputs were reported by 63 percent of the manufacturers this month, up from 54 percent last month. The index has now risen 30 points since January (see Chart 2). The current prices received index, reflecting the manufacturers’ own prices, increased 3 points. Over 36 percent of the firms reported higher prices for their manufactured goods this month.
Six-Month Indicators Continue to Moderate
The diffusion index for future general activity decreased for the fourth consecutive month, falling from 34.8 in June to 29.0 this month. Over 42 percent of the firms expect increases in activity over the next six months, while 13 percent expect declines. The future new orders index decreased 10 points, but the future shipments index was virtually unchanged. More than 60 percent of the firms expect price increases for purchased inputs over the next six months. Over 52 percent expect higher prices for their own manufactured goods. The future employment index decreased 7 points to a reading of 27.5, with almost 35 percent of the firms expecting to add workers over the next six months.
Fewer Firms Report Summer Slowdowns This Year
In this month’s special questions, firms were asked to assess the importance of seasonal factors in production and whether these seasonal factors have changed in importance over time. Most firms (61 percent) reported that seasonal factors were not significant; however, 36 percent indicated that they were. The firms continued to report that the most common pattern was increased production during the spring and fall and decreased activity in midsummer and during the winter months. Similar to the pattern reported last year, nearly 52 percent of the firms with seasonal patterns reported no difference in seasonal effects, 26 percent saw seasonal patterns as less important, and only 8 percent indicated they were more significant. The firms were also asked about whether they were scheduling plant shutdowns or production slowdowns during the summer months this year. Over 19 percent indicated that such slowdowns were scheduled this summer, down from 26 percent when the question was asked last year.
Summary
Responses to the July Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey indicate continued expansion for the region’s manufacturing sector. The firms reported increases in new orders, but employment growth was less widespread than in June. The firms also continued to report higher prices for inputs and their own manufactured goods. Looking ahead six months, the firms remain optimistic overall, but the survey’s future indicators continued to moderate.
Posted: July 19, 2018 Thursday 08:30 AM