Richmond Fed: Regional manufacturing index rose sharply in September

The Richmond Fed's composite manufacturing index rose from 14 to 19, supported by a sizable increase in the index for shipments — which, at a reading of 22, is the highest it has been since December 2010 — and a smaller rise in the index for new orders. The third component of the composite index, the employment index, fell slightly.

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Richmond Fed's Manufacturing Index rises 3 points in July

The Richmond Federal Reserve Bank's manufacturing composite index rose from 11 in June to 14 in July — the result of a slight increase in the measures of new orders and employment. Manufacturing executives remained generally optimistic about activity six months ahead. 

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Richmond Fed: Manufacturing survey improves sharply in June

Reports from Fifth District manufacturers improved in June, according to the latest survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The composite manufacturing index rose from 1 in May to 7 in June, as the indexes for shipments and new orders increased. The employment index was relatively flat. Most firms continued to report steady or higher wages; although the index for wages did fall in June, it remained above 0. Meanwhile, more firms reported a decline in the average workweek than reported an increase.

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Richmond Fed's Survey of Manufacturing Activity slips in May

Manufacturers in the Fifth District were somewhat less upbeat in May than in the prior three months, according to the latest survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

The index for shipments and the index for new orders decreased notably, with the shipments index falling to slightly below 0. The index for employment was relatively flat, but the decline in the other two indexes resulted in a decline in the composite index from 20 in April to 1 in May. The majority of firms continued to report higher wages, but more firms reported a decline in the average workweek than reported an increase.

Looking six months ahead, manufacturing executives remained generally optimistic, although the only index to increase was expected capital expenditures.