by Calculated Risk on 9/25/2018 10:02:00 AM

From the Richmond Fed: Fifth District Manufacturing Activity Was Robust in September

Fifth District manufacturing activity was robust in September, according to results of the most recent survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The composite index rose from 24 in August to 29 in September, buoyed by increases in shipments and new orders, while the index of the third component, employment, dropped. Survey respondents were optimistic, expecting growth to continue in the next six months.

The employment index fell in September but remained positive, while growth in wages and the average workweek expanded. Manufacturing firms continued to struggle to find employees with the skills they needed, and they expect this difficulty to continue in the coming months.
emphasis added

So far the regional surveys for September have indicated solid growth.