Philly Fed Mid-Atlantic Manufacturing Index More than Triples Consensus Forecast
The Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey — the Philadelphia Federal Reserve’s index for Mid-Atlantic factory activity — more than tripled the forecast in February, jumping to the highest level in three years.
The diffusion index for current general activity rose nearly 20 points to 36.7, its highest reading since February 2017. Forecasts ranged from a low of 8.0 to a high of 14.6. The consensus forecast was 12.0.
The percentage of firms reporting increases — at 52% — far exceeded the percentage reporting decreases — at just 15%. The index for new orders jumped 15 points to 33.6, the highest reading since May 2018.
Over 50% of the firms reported an increase in new orders in February, up from 46% in January.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York released the Empire State Manufacturing Survey on Tuesday. Regional manufacturing in the Northeast also roughly tripled the consensus forecast.
