Ladies and Gentlemen, Start your engines.

Dreammaker

Seasoned Expediter
Philly Fed Index Highest Since 1984
Economy | Edward Harrison | 17 March 2011 10:15

From the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia:

The survey’s broadest measure of manufacturing conditions, the diffusion index of current activity, increased from 35.9 in February to 43.4 this month (see Chart). This is the highest reading since January 1984. The demand for manufactured goods is showing continued strength: The new orders index increased 17 points this month, the sixth consecutive monthly increase. The shipments index was little changed this month and remains at a high level. Firms also reported that unfilled orders and delivery times rose again this month. Twice as many firms reported increases in inventories this month (24 percent) than reported decreases (12 percent). And the current inventory index has now been positive for three consecutive months and is at its highest reading in four years.

These are very bullish numbers and well above expectations which were for the index to fall to 30.0. That was just from the current situation. The outlook appears to be doing quite well too:

The future general activity index increased 16 points, to a reading of 63.0, its highest reading since February 1993 (see Chart). The indexes for future new orders and shipments also improved, increasing 18 and 8 points, respectively. Continuing to reflect optimism about employment expansion in the manufacturing sector, the future employment index increased 6 points. More firms expect to increase employment over the next six months (33 percent) than expect to decrease employment (2 percent).

http://www.creditwritedowns.com/2011/03/philly-fed-index-hightest-since-1984
 

greg334

Veteran Expediter
I see we still have 385,000 plus filing claims for unemployment, we still have a housing problem with housing prices going in the wrong direction, there is still talk about deflation in some markets while all the while we still have two issues with credit; banks still not lending fast enough to keep up with demand and mortgages still being foreclosed on because the banks are refusing to follow the laws.

Let's not forget that the media has hyped a "recovery" while a lot of economist and investors are very cautious to mention that word. From what you can surmise, the recover is spotty and only then there is a limit to what we are seeing.

Manufacturing has a long long way to go. The one thing that many are missing about the money that was dumped into the manufacturing sector is efficiency is way up while employment is way down. Some of these new companies building new places to make things are also limiting their workers by using the best technology they can find.

Oh and let's not forget that the dollar is at a great risk because of our national debt and a foggy view of what the president and senate are going to do.
 

ATeam

Senior Member
Retired Expediter
From an Expedite NOW article written in January by yours truly:

"...certain forces will be in play in 2011. If they align in a particular fashion, expediters may proclaim 2011 to be not just a great year but a spectacular one."

Read full article here


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