The Philadelphia Fed, known for providing the manufacturing sector’s timely reads, reported a slight increase in its gauge of regional business activity. The index inched up to negative 13.5 in July from negative 13.7 in the previous month, marking the eleventh consecutive negative reading. Economists surveyed had predicted a negative 10 reading for July, indicating an even more pessimistic outlook.
Barometer on New Orders and Shipments Decline
Within the report, key details revealed a decline in new orders and shipments. The barometer on new orders fell by 4.9 points to negative 15.9 in July, while the shipments index plummeted by 22.4 points to negative 12.5. These figures further compound the evidence of deteriorating conditions within the manufacturing sector.
Six-Month Business Outlook Shows Signs of Improvement
Despite the overall negative tone, there is a glimmer of hope as the measure of the six-month business outlook rose significantly to 29.1 in July. This reading represents the highest level since August 2021, suggesting a potential recovery on the horizon.
Broader Context: Comparing Regional Manufacturing Gauges
The Philadelphia Fed index acts as one of the first regional manufacturing gauges, providing valuable insight into the overall health of the sector. Compared to its recent trend, the index is performing slightly better. Over the last ten months, it has averaged a negative 15.5 reading, signifying a consistently challenging environment.
In contrast, the Empire State index, which measures manufacturing conditions in New York State, displayed stability at low levels. The general business conditions index lowered by 5.5 points to 1.1 in July, suggesting a similar narrative of struggling manufacturing.
Additionally, the ISM factory index contracted for the eighth straight month in June, falling to 46% from 46.9% in the previous month. This further emphasizes the prevailing challenges faced by the manufacturing industry.
Market Reaction and Implications
Stocks were set for mixed openings on Thursday following disappointing earnings reports. The yield on the 10-year Treasury note rose to 3.82%, indicating potential concerns in the broader financial market.