Business Activity Grew Modestly in NY State in April Business activity grew modestly in New York State in the month of April, reports The Federal Reserve Bank of New York Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The headline general business conditions index rose 6 points, indicating growth picked up somewhat but remained fairly subdued. New orders rose [...]
Business Optimism Remains Elevated The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index rose 0.1 point in March. While the index has fallen from lofty highs of recent years, business optimism remains elevated and businesses continue to report plans to expand. Wells Fargo House Finance Committee Hearing Here's a good one: On Wednesday, [...]
Hourly Wages Grew 3.2% from a Year Earlier Hourly wages grew 3.2% from a year earlier, as hiring in the US sprang back in March and the unemployment rate remained at a historically low level, underscoring that the labor market remains a source of strength for the economy. Non-farm payrolls increased a seasonally adjusted 196,000 [...]
Precision Machining Index Rebounded Registering 56.2 for January 2019, the Gardner Business Index (GBI): Precision Machining Index rebounded from December's two year low reading. Over the 2017 and 2018 calendar years, the Production Machining Index averaged 56.2, marking the fastest and longest expansionary business cycle in Gardner's recorded history. January's readings for production and new [...]
Manufacturing Conditions Improved in March The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia released its March 2019 Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey and reports manufacturing conditions improved in the region this month. The indicators for general activity, new orders and shipments returned to positive territory while the employment indicator remained positive. US Raw Steel Production ACUR 82.9% In [...]
Consumer Spending Bounced Back in January January retail sales showed that consumer spending bounced back in January but not enough to offset a weak December. Wells Fargo Small Businesses Remain Upbeat About Economy The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Small Business Optimism Index stabilized and rose in February. With the government shutdown in the [...]
Non-Manufacturing Index Bounced Back 3 Points The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Non-Manufacturing Index bounced back three points in February. The stronger-than-expected reading suggests that the service sector continues to expand at a solid rate. Wells Fargo New Home Sales Rose in December New home sales rose in December although downward revisions to the data [...]
MNI Chicago Business Barometer Hit Highest Point Since December 2017 The February 2019 MNI Chicago Business Barometer hit highest point since December 2017, rising by 8 points to 64.7. Optimism returned, with most Barometer components back at December 2018's level after a dip in January, indicating temporary factors at play in January (i.e... the government [...]
February 2019 Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey Reports Negative Indicators The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia February 2019 Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey reports negative indicators for general activity, new orders and shipments but the indicator for employment remained positive. The index for current manufacturing activity in the region decreased from its January positive reading, falling into [...]
Optimistic Future Conditions Suggested Fairly optimistic future conditions are suggested by indexes assessing the six-month outlook which improved noticeably, after slumping in January. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York Empire State Manufacturing Survey for February 2019 Reports Modest Growth The Federal Reserve Bank of New York released its Empire State Manufacturing Survey for February [...]
