NY Services Activity Contracts in June

The New York Fed's Services Business Activity Index rose 19 points to 8.7 in July 2026, as business activity in the service sector rose for the first time in nearly two years. The headline index reached its highest level since May 2022, with the business climate index rising 13 points to -24, indicating conditions improved significantly in recent months, though they remained below normal. Employment continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace, and wage growth moderated. Meanwhile, supply availability deteriorated further, while price increases eased slightly but remained elevated. Looking ahead, firms turned optimistic about business conditions for the first time in well over a year and do not expect the business climate to worsen over the next six months. Employment is expected to grow modestly, while supply availability is expected to worsen and capital spending remains subdued.

The New York Fed’s Services Business Activity Index fell 4 points to -10.1 in June 2026. Business activity continued to contract modestly in the region’s service sector, according to respondents to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Business Leaders Survey. Although the business climate index rose 10 points to -37.3, indicating an improvement in sentiment, overall business conditions remained weak. Employment growth accelerated to its fastest pace in two years, while wages continued to increase. Meanwhile, supply chain pressures intensified, with both input and selling prices remaining elevated. Looking ahead, firms remain cautious, with business expectations continuing to reflect a subdued outlook. While employment is expected to increase, capital spending plans remain soft.

The New York Fed’s Services Business Activity Index climbed 8.2 points to -5.8 in May 2026, marking its highest reading since January 2025. While activity in the region’s service sector continued to contract, the decline eased significantly, according to respondents to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Business Leaders Survey. The business climate index also improved modestly but remained deeply negative at -46.9, indicating that firms still viewed conditions as substantially worse than normal. Employment edged slightly higher during the month, while wage growth slowed noticeably. At the same time, supply availability continued to deteriorate. Inflationary pressures remained persistent, with firms reporting steep increases in input costs and still-elevated selling prices. Looking ahead, businesses expressed somewhat greater optimism about conditions over the next six months.