by Calculated Risk on 6/16/2016 08:58:00 AM

From the Philly Fed: June 2016 Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey

Firms responding to the Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey reported little growth this month. Though the indicator for general activity was positive in June, other broad indicators continued to reflect general weakness in business conditions. The indicators for both employment and work hours remained negative. Forecasts of future activity weakened from last month but continued to suggest that manufacturers expect growth over the next six months.
...
The diffusion index for current activity rose almost 7 points, to 4.7, and returned to positive territory this month after two consecutive negative readings ...

The survey’s labor market indicators suggest continued weak employment conditions. The employment index was negative for the sixth consecutive month, falling from –3.3 in May to –10.9 in June. Though nearly 72 percent of the firms reported no change in employment this month, the percentage reporting decreases (20 percent) exceeded the percentage reporting increases (9 percent).
emphasis added

This was above the consensus forecast of a reading of 2.0 for June.

Click on graph for larger image.

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

The average of the Empire State and Philly Fed surveys turned positive in June (yellow).  This suggests the ISM survey will probably indicate expansion this month.