The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey indicated that growth in the manufacturing sector is weak. General activity and shipments were positive, while new orders and employment were negative.

Firms responding to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey suggest that growth was positive but tenuous in August.

The diffusion index for current general activity moved from a negative reading to a marginally positive reading, while the indicators for new orders and employment suggested continued general weakness in business conditions. Of the current broad indicators, the diffusion index for shipments recorded the strongest reading. The respondents were confident about future growth, as their forecasts of future activity showed notable improvement.

The index for current manufacturing activity in the region rose 5 points to only 2.0 in August, as the share of firms reporting an increase in activity (35%) barely exceeded the share reporting a decrease (33%). This is only the third positive reading of the index in the current year.

The current new orders index dropped significantly from a reading of 11.8 in July to -7.2 in August. The percentage of firms reporting an increase in new orders (27%) was less than 1 point lower than last month; however, the percentage of firms reporting a decrease (34%) was 18 points higher than last month. The current shipments index rose slightly, from 6.3 to 8.4. The percentage of firms reporting an increase in shipments (35%) was 6 points higher than last month. The indexes for unfilled orders and delivery times fell into negative territory, recording values of -15.0 and -3.8, respectively. The index for inventories dropped from -4.3 to -9.2. The indicators for unfilled orders, delivery times and inventories have been negative for most of this year.

The survey’s indicators of employment weakened considerably. The employment index fell 18 points to -20.0, which is its largest negative reading for the current year. Although 67% of the firms reported no change in employment this month, the percentage reporting decreases (25%) significantly exceeded the percentage reporting increases (5%). The workweek index also fell, from -3.6 to -11.5. Twenty-five percent of the firms reported a decrease in average work hours, and only 13% reported an increase.

Firms indicated that there was a broadening of price increases both for inputs and for their own goods. The prices paid index rose 10 points, to 19.7, in August. Twenty percent of the respondents reported increases in prices paid, and none reported decreases. The prices received index rose 7 points, to 7.1. Eighteen percent of the respondents indicated increases in prices received, while 11% reported decreases.

The survey’s index of future manufacturing activity rose 12 points to 45.8 in August, strongly indicating that the current weakness is expected to be temporary. This index is at its highest reading since January 2015. Fifty-four percent of the firms expect an increase in activity over the next six months, up from 46% last month. Only 8% expect a decline, down from 12% last month. The future indexes for new orders and shipments also increased, rising 16 points and 24 points, respectively. The future employment index held relatively steady at 12.9.

Firms were asked to forecast the changes in the prices of their own products and general inflation over the next four quarters. The median forecast was for an increase in their own prices of 1%. Firms expect their employee compensation costs (wages plus benefits on a per employee basis) to rise at a much higher pace of 3% over the next four quarters. When asked about the average rate of inflation for consumers over the next 10 years, the firms’ median forecast was 2.5%. These median responses were identical to those from May when the same questions were last asked, with one exception: In May, the median price forecast for firms’ own prices was higher, at 2%.