April 2021 Note: Survey responses were collected from April 5 to April 12. Manufacturing conditions in the region continued to improve this month, according to firms responding to the April Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. The indicators for general activity, shipments, and employment all rose. The firms continued to report increases in prices. The survey's future indexes indicate continued optimism about growth over the next six months. Current Indicators Remain Elevated The index for current manufacturing activity rose from a revised reading of 44.5 in March to 50.2 this month, its highest point in nearly 50 years.* Nearly 59 percent of the firms reported increases in current activity this month; only 8 percent reported decreases. The current new orders index edged down 2 points to 36.0 in April, while the current shipments index increased 3 points to 25.3. The firms continued to add to their payrolls this month. The current employment index increased from a revised reading of 27.4 in March to 30.8 this month, its highest recorded reading. Over 35 percent of the responding firms reported increases in employment, while only 4 percent of the firms reported decreases. The current workweek index fell 7 points to 29.8. Price Indexes Suggest Increasing Prices The firms continued to report price pressures from purchased inputs. The prices paid index edged down 4 points to 69.1 in April after reaching a 40-year high in March. Over 71 percent of the firms reported higher input prices this month, while only 2 percent of the firms reported lower input prices. The firms also reported overall increases in prices for their own manufactured goods: The prices received index increased 4 points to 34.5. Firms Remain Optimistic About Growth The diffusion index for future general activity rose 8 points to 66.6 this month, its highest reading since October 1991. Seventy-one percent of the firms expect increases in activity over the next six months, while 4 percent expect declines. The future new orders and shipments indexes also increased, rising 11 points and 10 points, respectively. The future employment index rose 9 points to 55.7. Over 56 percent of the firms expect to increase employment over the next six months; hardly any firms expect to decrease employment. The future capital spending index rose 3 points to 36.7. Firms Report Increases in Wages and Compensation In special questions this month, the firms were asked generally about changes in wages and compensation over the past three months, how these recent or planned changes will affect their budget for the rest of the year, and the components of these changes (see Special Questions). Nearly 65 percent of the firms indicated increases in wages and compensation costs over the past three months, 35 percent reported no change, and none reported decreases. Nearly 60 percent of the firms reported adjusting their 2021 budgets for wages and compensation since the beginning of the year, with 39 percent indicating they are planning to increase wages and compensation by more than originally planned and 21 percent of the firms indicating they are planning to increase wages and compensation sooner than originally planned. Based on the median reporter, firms expect wages to increase by 3 to 4 percent and total compensation to increase by 4 to 5 percent in 2021. Summary The firms' responses continued to suggest widespread growth in the region's manufacturing sector this month. The survey's indicators for activity, employment, new orders, and shipments all remain elevated, with the former two indexes reaching long-term highs. The firms also continued to report price pressures. The survey’s future indexes indicate that firms remain optimistic about growth over the next six months. Special Questions (April 2021) 1. How have wages and compensation changed at your firm over the past three months? Percent (%) Increased 64.9 No Change 35.1 Decreased 0.0 2. Since the beginning of the year, have you adjusted your budget for wages and compensation for 2021?** Yes, and we are planning to increase wages and compensation by more than originally planned. 38.6 Yes, and we are planning to increase wages and compensation sooner than originally planned. 21.1 No, we have not needed to make adjustments. 40.4 Other 3.5 **Percentages do not sum to 100 because more than one option could be selected. 3. What percentage change in costs do you now expect for the following categories over all of 2021?*** Wages Health Nonhealth Wages + (%) Benefits Benefits Health + (%) (%) Nonhealth (%) Decline of 3-4% 0.0 1.8 0.0 0.0 Decline of 2-3% 1.8 0.0 0.0 1.8 Decline of 1-2% 1.8 1.8 1.8 3.6 No Change 1.8 25.5 45.5 3.6 Increase of 1-2% 10.5 1.8 25.5 7.1 Increase of 2-3% 31.6 12.7 7.3 14.3 Increase of 3-4% 24.6 9.1 14.5 16.1 Increase of 4-5% 15.8 12.7 3.6 23.2 Increase of 5-7.5% 5.3 12.7 1.8 16.1 Increase of 7.5-10% 1.8 7.3 0.0 8.9 Increase of 10% or more 5.3 14.5 0.0 5.4 ------------------- ------------------------------------------- Median Expected Change 3-4% 3-4% 1-2% 4-5% ***Percentages may not sum to 100 because of rounding. Summary of Returns April 2021 April vs. March Six Months from Now vs. April Prev. Prev. Diff. Inc. No ch. Dec. Diff. Diff. Inc. No ch. Dec. Diff. Index Index Index Index General Business 44.5 58.6 29.3 8.4 50.2 59.1 71.0 22.5 4.4 66.6 Conditions New Orders 38.2 49.1 36.3 13.1 36.0 48.2 65.5 25.0 6.0 59.5 Shipments 22.0 39.8 45.7 14.5 25.3 53.4 68.1 23.4 5.1 63.0 Unfilled Orders 19.3 36.0 54.2 8.8 27.2 10.0 26.9 50.5 22.0 4.9 Delivery Times 28.2 33.6 59.9 5.8 27.8 16.4 17.6 65.9 14.1 3.5 Inventories 14.4 24.1 65.0 6.8 17.3 24.3 36.9 39.6 15.2 21.7 Prices Paid 72.6 71.4 23.0 2.3 69.1 63.4 74.5 20.1 3.0 71.5 Prices Received 30.2 35.7 59.7 1.3 34.5 46.9 65.7 29.4 2.0 63.6 Number of Emp. 27.4 35.1 59.6 4.2 30.8 46.5 56.1 38.9 0.4 55.7 Avg. Emp. Wrkwk. 36.4 35.5 56.9 5.7 29.8 11.4 31.4 55.7 9.3 22.0 Capital Ex. -- -- -- -- -- 33.8 40.1 52.4 3.5 36.7 Notes: (1) Diffusion indexes represent the percentage of respondents indicating an increase minus the percentage indicating a decrease. (2) All data are seasonally adjusted. (3) Percentages may not sum to 100 because of rounding, omission by respondents, or both. (4) Survey results reflect data received through April 12, 2021. *With the April report, Philadelphia Fed researchers released revised historical data, which incorporate adjusted seasonal factors for 2020 and 2021. The full set of historical data and a brief discussion of the revisions are available at www.philadelphiafed.org/surveys-and-data/regional-economicanalysis/mbos- historical-revisions-2021. Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey Released: April 15, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. ET.