The Empire State Manufacturing Survey continued to rebound, inching 1.3 higher in January to beat the consensus forecast at 4.8. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York said the small degree of growth was fueled by new orders and shipments both edging higher.
Forecasts ranged from a low of -6.0 to 5.3. The consensus was for a flat reading at 3.6.
Twenty-eight percent (28%) reported Empire State manufacturing conditions over the month, while 23% reported conditions had worsened. The new orders index rose 5 points to 6.6, and the shipment index posted a modest increase at 8.6.
The unfilled orders index rose 11 points, though it remained in negative territory at -2.7. Delivery times shortened and inventories held steady.
Employment expanded for the fifth consecutive month as the index for number of employees was unchanged at 9.0. The average workweek index came in at 1.3, also virtually unchanged.
Price increases rose considerably for Empire State manufacturing firms. After falling to a multi-year low in December, the prices paid index shot up 16 points to 31.5. The prices received index jumped 10 points to 14.4.
While the index for future business conditions ticked down 3 points to 23.6, the index for future shipments rose 5 points to 32.7. The capital expenditures index held steady at a solid 25.3, and the technology spending index fell 5 points to 22.6.
