Courtesy of Mish.
The Philadelphia Fed February 2017 Manufacturing Business Outlook Index jumped from 23.6 in January to 43.3 in February. Bloomberg Econoday notes this is the strongest reading since 1984.
Econoday Survey Comments
The strength of the Philadelphia Fed’s general business conditions index is impossible to exaggerate. February’s 43.3 is not a misprint. It’s the strongest since very far back, since January 1984. Yes, this index is a response to a single question on monthly sentiment but its enormous strength is confirmed by a very tangible reading, and that is the new orders index which jumped 12 points in the month to 38 which itself is a record or should be one if it is not.
Other readings in this report are less spectacular but very strong including a big build for backlogs, a healthy draw for inventories, understandable slowing in delivery times, and noticeable pressures in costs and positive traction for selling prices.
As an advance indicator, this report rivals the ISM manufacturing survey in importance. These readings point squarely at 2017 acceleration for a factory sector that limped through 2016.
Current and Future (Anticipated) Indices
General Activity Business Index
The six-month look-ahead forecast is all but useless, so let’s isolate the current picture.
Is this another flash in the pan jump or the real deal? I don’t have an answer but it is not consistent with a slowdown and layoffs in the Auto sector.
Prices Received
