A worker in the mid-Atlantic manufacturing sector works with raw aluminum materials. (PHOTO: REUTERS)
The Philadelphia Federal Reserve’s Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey showed manufacturing activity in the mid-Atlantic region rose to 1.9 in November, up from -4.5 in October. The reading came in above Wall Street expectations for a rise to just -1, still in contraction.
Readings above 0 point to expansion, while those below indicate contraction.
The survey’s indicators for labor market conditions were mixed this month, as the percentage of firms reporting increases in employment (14%) was slightly more than the percentage reporting decreases (11%). The employment index increased 4 points to 2.6, up from -1.7 the month prior. However, firms reported overall declines in average work hours in November. The workweek index registered its second consecutive negative reading and declined 9 points.
Special Questions (November 2015)
|
Percent Change*
|
|
| 1. For Your Firm: | |
| Prices your firm will receive (for its own goods and services sold). |
1.0
|
| Compensation your firm will pay per employee (for wages and benefits). |
3.0
|
| 2. For your employees: | |
| Prices your employees will pay (for goods and services where they live). |
2.0
|
| 3. For U.S. Consumers: | |
| Prices U.S. consumers will pay (for goods and services). |
2.0
|
| For the next 10 years (2015 through 2024), what is your expected annual average percent change with respect to the following: | |
| 4. For U.S. Consumers: | |
| Prices U.S. consumers will pay (for goods and services). |
2.5
|
| *Figures represent median forecasts. At least 62 of the 76 firms responding to the survey also responded to the special questions. | |
