The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index rose to 18.1 in March 2026, the highest since September 2025, from 16.3 in February and way better than analysts' forecasts of 10. This marked the third consecutive month in positive territory, indicating continued expansion in regional manufacturing. The index for current new orders fell 3 points to 8.6, while the current shipments index rose 22 points to 22.2, its highest reading since January 2025. The inventories index ticked up 2 points to 1.4. At the same time, the employment index returned to positive territory, up 2 points to 0.8, but continued to suggest mostly steady employment overall. Both price indexes rose this month after declining last month. The prices paid index rose 6 points to 44.7, while the prices received index rose 5 points to 21.2. Looking ahead, the firms continue to expect overall growth over the next six months. source: Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index in the United States increased to 18.10 points in March from 16.30 points in February of 2026. Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index in the United States averaged 8.77 points from 1968 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 58.50 points in March of 1973 and a record low of -60.50 points in April of 2020. This page provides the latest reported value for - United States Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. United States Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on March of 2026.

Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index in the United States increased to 18.10 points in March from 16.30 points in February of 2026. Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index in the United States is expected to be 11.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index is projected to trend around 9.00 points in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-02-19 01:30 PM
Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index
Feb 16.3 12.6 8.5 7
2026-03-19 12:30 PM
Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index
Mar 18.1 16.3 10 11
2026-04-16 12:30 PM
Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index
Apr 18.1

Components Last Previous Unit Reference
Philly Fed Business Conditions 40.00 42.80 points Mar 2026
Philly Fed CAPEX Index 25.80 14.40 points Mar 2026
Philly Fed Employment 0.80 -1.30 points Mar 2026
Philly Fed New Orders 8.60 11.70 points Mar 2026
Philly Fed Prices Paid 44.70 38.90 points Mar 2026

Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Coincident Index 148.70 148.70 points Dec 2025
Leading Economic Index 97.50 97.60 points Jan 2026
Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index 18.10 16.30 points Mar 2026


United States Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index
Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index is based on The Business Outlook Survey of manufacturers in the Third Federal Reserve District. Participants report the direction of change in overall business activity and in the various measures of activity at their plants: employment, working hours, new and unfilled orders, shipments, inventories, delivery times, prices paid, and prices received. The index above 0 indicates factory-sector growth, below 0 contraction.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
18.10 16.30 58.50 -60.50 1968 - 2026 points Monthly
SA

News Stream
Philadelphia Factory Activity Expands the Most in 6 Months
The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index rose to 18.1 in March 2026, the highest since September 2025, from 16.3 in February and way better than analysts' forecasts of 10. This marked the third consecutive month in positive territory, indicating continued expansion in regional manufacturing. The index for current new orders fell 3 points to 8.6, while the current shipments index rose 22 points to 22.2, its highest reading since January 2025. The inventories index ticked up 2 points to 1.4. At the same time, the employment index returned to positive territory, up 2 points to 0.8, but continued to suggest mostly steady employment overall. Both price indexes rose this month after declining last month. The prices paid index rose 6 points to 44.7, while the prices received index rose 5 points to 21.2. Looking ahead, the firms continue to expect overall growth over the next six months.
2026-03-19
Philadelphia Factory Activity Rises to Five-Month High
The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index rose to 16.3 in February 2026, the highest since September and above expectations of 8.5. General business activity and new orders remained moderately strong, but shipments slowed sharply and nearly stalled. Employment levels were mostly steady, yet the employment index turned slightly negative and the average workweek shortened. Prices continued to rise overall, although both input costs and selling prices increased at a slower pace than before. Customer price sensitivity stayed largely unchanged, though about a third of firms said customers are becoming more sensitive to price. Many firms still expect industry costs to change soon, and most anticipate competitors will raise prices within three months. Tariffs were reported to have had a mostly negative impact over the past year, and many firms expect continued negative effects. Expectations for growth over the next six months strengthened, though planned capital spending declined.
2026-02-19
Philadelphia Factory Activity Rebounds to Four-Month High
The Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index surged 21.4 points to 12.6 in January 2026, marking its highest level since September, as activity rebounded sharply from an upwardly revised -8.8 in December and far exceeded market expectations of -2. New orders rose to 14.4 and shipments increased to 9.5, signaling improved demand and deliveries, while inventories fell to -8.4, the lowest since July 2024. Employment remained positive at 9.7, though slightly lower than last month, and the average workweek edged down to 9.1. Input prices eased slightly, with the prices paid index dipping to 46.9, while the prices received index rose to 27.8, indicating ongoing cost pressures. Looking ahead, the future activity index slipped to 25.5, with future new orders falling to 32.9 and future shipments rising to 40.8. Firms continue to anticipate modest growth in employment and elevated prices over the next six months, reflecting cautious optimism amid sustained price pressures.
2026-01-15