Dallas Fed manufacturing numbers are in for February and showing an improvement.
Stats |
Jan 17 |
Feb 17 |
Production index: |
11.9 |
16.7 |
Manufacturing new orders Index: |
15.7 |
11.6 |
Manufacturing growth rate of orders index: |
6.7 |
2.0 |
Shipments index: |
15.8 |
12.2 |
Capacity utilization index: |
9.1 |
14.7 |
General business activity index |
22.1 |
24.5 |
Company outlook index: |
15.7 |
17.6 |
Employment index |
6.1 |
9.6 |
Hours worked index |
9.1 |
7.7 |
Raw materials price index |
30.8 |
31.5 |
Finished goods price index |
17.7 |
19.5 |
Wages & benefits index |
20.8 |
19.5 |
Some indices are lower than in previous periods but still positive. 19% of firms reported net hiring. 10% noted net layoffs. Survey respondents noted proposals by President Trump as a factor in positive assessment.