Washington (awp / dpa) – Manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia area of the United States slowed sharply in December, with growth in activity levels, shipments and new orders even at their lowest since the start of the l ‘year.
The general index measuring activity fell 24 points to 15.4 points, according to data from the regional office of the US Central Bank released Thursday.
This disappointed analysts, who expected a smaller decline, and saw the index settle at 30 points.
Measured in a highly industrialized region in the northeast of the United States, this leading indicator is considered a good barometer of the evolution of American economic activity.
“The growth of manufacturing activity in the region has continued but less widely,” said the local branch of the Federal Reserve in its press release.
Indeed, the activity is growing when the index is greater than zero.
In detail, “the indicators of general activity, deliveries and new orders have all fallen to their lowest levels in 2021 but remain positive,” said the Philadelphia Fed.
Good news, however, the index measuring employment has increased a little, and those measuring prices are down slightly, but remain at a high level, details the central bank.
And “the companies surveyed remained generally optimistic about growth over the next six months,” he said.
The survey was carried out from December 6 to 13.
afp / ck
–
