by Calculated Risk on 10/26/2017 11:00:00 AM

From the Kansas City Fed: Tenth District Manufacturing Activity Posts Strong Growth

The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City released the October Manufacturing Survey today. According to Chad Wilkerson, vice president and economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the survey revealed that Tenth District manufacturing activity posted strong growth and expectations about future activity improved further.

“Factory activity accelerated further in our region this month, posting its highest composite reading since 2011,” said Wilkerson. 
...
The month-over-month composite index was 23 in October, the highest since March 2011, up from 17 in September and 16 in August.  The composite index is an average of the production, new orders, employment, supplier delivery time, and raw materials inventory indexes.  Factory activity increased strongly at both durable and non-durable goods plants, particularly for food, plastics, computer and electronic products.  Month-over-month indexes were mostly higher.  The new orders index increased moderately, and the order backlog index increased to its highest reading since March 2011.  The employment and new orders for exports indexes increased slightly.  However, the shipments index was unchanged, and the production index eased somewhat but remained high.  The finished goods inventory index jumped back into positive territory, and the raw materials inventory index also increased moderately. 
emphasis added

All of the regional Fed surveys have been strong in October.