The Federal Reserve's Fifth District manufacturing index jumped by 10 points from the previous month to 13 in May of 2026, the highest since 2021, and well ahead of market expectations of 4. The result was aligned with broader signals of strength from manufacturing surveys in the US, despite the rise in energy prices and borrowing costs since March due to the war in the Middle East. The index measuring new orders surged (17 vs 8 in April), driving a rebound in shipments (16 vs -2). Meanwhile, prices paid rose at a slower magnitude (5.96 vs 6.4), driving firms to ease the increase on their charges (4.21 vs 4.73). Looking ahead, improvements are expected both for shipments (35 vs 21) and new orders (36 vs 26). source: Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond

Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index in the United States increased to 13 points in May from 3 points in April of 2026. Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index in the United States averaged 1.85 points from 1993 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 27.00 points in March of 2004 and a record low of -54.00 points in April of 2020. This page provides - United States Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United States Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index in the United States increased to 13 points in May from 3 points in April of 2026. Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index in the United States is expected to be 7.00 points by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index is projected to trend around 1.80 points in 2027 and 2.00 points in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-28 02:00 PM
Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index
Apr 3 0 2 6
2026-05-27 02:00 PM
Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index
May 13 3 4 4
2026-06-23 02:00 PM
Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index
Jun 13 7


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index 13.00 3.00 points May 2026
Richmond Fed Manufacturing Shipments Index 16.00 -2.00 points May 2026
Richmond Fed Services Index 14.00 9.00 points May 2026


United States Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index
The Richmond Manufacturing Index measures the conditions of the manufacturing sector for the District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and most of West Virginia. The index is derived from a survey of 190 manufacturing plants and based on three individual index with the following weights: Shipments (33 percent), New Orders (40 percent) and Employment (27 percent). The index can range between +100 and -100; a reading above zero indicates expansion, while below zero suggests a contraction.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
13.00 3.00 27.00 -54.00 1993 - 2026 points Monthly
SA

News Stream
5th District Manufacturing Rises Most Since 2021
The Federal Reserve's Fifth District manufacturing index jumped by 10 points from the previous month to 13 in May of 2026, the highest since 2021, and well ahead of market expectations of 4. The result was aligned with broader signals of strength from manufacturing surveys in the US, despite the rise in energy prices and borrowing costs since March due to the war in the Middle East. The index measuring new orders surged (17 vs 8 in April), driving a rebound in shipments (16 vs -2). Meanwhile, prices paid rose at a slower magnitude (5.96 vs 6.4), driving firms to ease the increase on their charges (4.21 vs 4.73). Looking ahead, improvements are expected both for shipments (35 vs 21) and new orders (36 vs 26).
2026-05-27
US Fifth District Manufacturing Unexpectedly Rebounds
The Federal Reserve's Fifth District manufacturing index rose by 3 points from the previous month to 3 in April of 2026, contrasting with market expectations of a contraction in activity at -5 to reflect the first improvement since February of last year. The result was aligned with other leading indicators for the period as the goods producing sector is showing a degree of resilience to soaring energy prices and supply chain disruptions from the war in the Middle East. The gauge measuring new orders rose further (8 vs 4 in March), even though shipments held their slight drop (unchanged at -2). Meanwhile, local business conditions improved (10 vs -5), driving firms to halt the drop in their employment levels (0 vs -2). Prices paid for inputs rose further (6.4 vs 6.11), although prices charged slowed (4.73 vs 4.85). Looking ahead, the outlook slowed for shipments (21 vs 26) and new orders (26 vs 30).
2026-04-28
5th District Manufacturing Halts Decline Streak
The Federal Reserve's Fifth District manufacturing index rose by 10 points from the previous month to 0 in March of 2026, ahead of market expectations of a -5. The result reflected an unchanged level of manufacturing activity in the district, the first period without a contraction since February of the previous year despite pressure from the surge in energy prices since the outbreak of war in the Middle East during the month. Shipments contracted less (-2 vs -13 in February) amid a rebound in the volume of new orders (4 vs -9). Likewise, the pace of staff reduction fell sharply (-2 vs -7), although wage growth eased (14 vs 18) despite remaining sharp. In the meantime, prices paid decelerated (6.11 vs 6.52) despite the surge in wholesale energy commodities. Looking ahead, shipments (26 vs 29) and new orders growth (30 vs 35) eased but remained strong.
2026-03-24