Empire State Manufacturing Index Turns Negative

The Empire State Manufacturing Index of General Business Conditions declined sharply to -8.6 during June, the first negative index level since October 2016. The Action Economics Forecast Survey expected a June reading of 10.5. The Empire State data, reported by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, reflect business conditions in New York, northern New Jersey and southern Connecticut.

Haver Analytics calculates a seasonally adjusted index that is comparable to the ISM series. The calculated figure fell to 48.4, the lowest level since November 2016. During the last ten years, there has been a 42% correlation between the index level and the quarter-to-quarter change in real GDP.

Movement amongst the sub-series was mostly downward. The new orders index turned negative and reversed improvement during the prior two months. The shipments reading also deteriorated moderately. The unfilled orders measure cratered to the lowest level since December 2015. The inventories index eased further into negative territory, indicating continued inventory liquidation. The vendor delivery series fell sharply and indicated the quickest product delivery speeds since January 2017.

The employment index declined and was negative for the first time since January 2017. A sharply lessened 12% of respondents reported higher employment, while an increased 15% showed a decrease. During the last ten years, there has been a 49% correlation between the employment index and the month-to-month change in factory sector payrolls. The employee workweek reading also fell into negative territory, indicating a shorter workweek, and was down sharply from its high reached last April.

The prices paid index improved slightly, but remained down sharply versus its high in May 2018. Thirty-two percent of respondents indicated increased prices this month while five percent reported a decrease. The prices received index fell to the lowest point since August 2017.

The series measuring expectations for business conditions in six months eased m/m. Most component series deteriorated including new orders, shipments, unfilled orders, employment & delivery times. The capital spending intentions index declined sharply to the lowest level since September 2017.

The Empire State figures are diffusion indexes, which are calculated by subtracting the percent of respondents reporting declines from those reporting gains. The data are available in Haver's SURVEYS database. The ISM-adjusted headline index dates back to 2001. The Action Economics Forecasts can be found in Haver's AS1REPNA database.