by Calculated Risk on 10/17/2013 10:00:00 AM

From the Philly Fed: October Manufacturing Survey

Manufacturing growth in the region continued in October, according to firms responding to this month’s Business Outlook Survey. The survey’s broadest indicators for general activity, new orders, shipments, and employment were positive, signifying growth. The survey's indicators of future activity suggest continued optimism about growth over the next six months.

The survey’s broadest measure of manufacturing conditions, the diffusion index of current activity, edged down from 22.3 in September to 19.8 this month. The index has now been positive for five consecutive months. ... The demand for manufactured goods, as measured by the current new orders index, increased 6 points, to 27.5, its highest reading since March 2011.

Labor market indicators showed improvement this month. The current employment index increased 5 points, to 15.4, its highest reading since May 2011.
emphasis added

This was above the consensus forecast of a reading of 15.0 for October.

Click on graph for larger image.

Here is a graph comparing the regional Fed surveys and the ISM manufacturing index. The dashed green line is an average of the NY Fed (Empire State) and Philly Fed surveys through October. The ISM and total Fed surveys are through September.

The average of the Empire State and Philly Fed surveys has been positive for five consecutive months.  This was a solid report and suggests further solid expansion in the ISM report for October.