US Fifth District Manufacturing Edges Down

2026-08-25 14:14 By Larissa Caser 1 min. read

The Federal Reserve’s Fifth District manufacturing index edged down to 4 in August 2026 from 5 in July, remaining well below market expectations of 7.

Manufacturing activity was little changed during the month, as shipments increased to 11 from 8, while new orders declined to 3 from 5.

Backlogs of orders (-7 vs 4) and capital expenditures (-5 vs 0) both swung into negative territory, while employment fell to -2 from 2.

Meanwhile, the average growth rates of prices paid (6.22 vs 6.08) and prices received (4.09 vs 3.96) increased.

The local business conditions index also declined to 4 from 10 in July.

Over the next six months, firms remained relatively optimistic, with future new orders edging up to 32 from 31, while shipment expectations eased to 26 from 33.

Employment expectations rose to 20 from 15, while expected growth in prices paid and received moderated.

Meanwhile, the future local business conditions index continued to decline, falling to 16 from 19.



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US Fifth District Manufacturing Edges Down
The Federal Reserve’s Fifth District manufacturing index edged down to 4 in August 2026 from 5 in July, remaining well below market expectations of 7. Manufacturing activity was little changed during the month, as shipments increased to 11 from 8, while new orders declined to 3 from 5. Backlogs of orders (-7 vs 4) and capital expenditures (-5 vs 0) both swung into negative territory, while employment fell to -2 from 2. Meanwhile, the average growth rates of prices paid (6.22 vs 6.08) and prices received (4.09 vs 3.96) increased. The local business conditions index also declined to 4 from 10 in July. Over the next six months, firms remained relatively optimistic, with future new orders edging up to 32 from 31, while shipment expectations eased to 26 from 33. Employment expectations rose to 20 from 15, while expected growth in prices paid and received moderated. Meanwhile, the future local business conditions index continued to decline, falling to 16 from 19.
2026-08-25
US Fifth District Manufacturing Edges Up in July
The Federal Reserve's Fifth District manufacturing index edged up to 5 in July 2026 from 4 in June, remaining well below market expectations of 9. Manufacturing activity was broadly stable during the month, as stronger shipments (8 vs. 4) and a rebound in employment (2 vs. -1) offset slower growth in new orders (5 vs. 8). Local business conditions improved sharply, with the index rising to 10 from -1. On the price front, cost pressures eased, as the growth rate of prices paid slowed to 6.08% from 6.99%, while prices received moderated to 3.96% from 4.57%. Looking ahead, firms expect inflationary pressures to moderate over the next 12 months. However, optimism softened, with expectations for local business conditions (19 vs. 22), shipments (33 vs. 36), and new orders (31 vs. 33) all declining, though remaining firmly in positive territory.
2026-07-28
US Fifth District Manufacturing Falls
The Federal Reserve's Fifth District manufacturing index decreased by 9 points from the previous month to 4 point in June 2026, down from 13 in May and below market expectations. The result reflected an unchanged level of manufacturing activity in the district, with most key components weakening during the month. Shipments eased to 3 from 16, while new orders declined to 9 from 17, though both indicators remained positive. Meanwhile, raw materials inventories increased to 9 from 5. On the other hand, the employment index slipped into negative territory at -1, reversing from 3 in the previous month. Price pressures strengthened, with the average growth rates of prices paid rising to 6.99% from 5.96%, and prices received increasing to 4.57% from 4.21%. Looking ahead, shipments expectations improved to 38 from 35. However, expectations for new orders and employment softened, falling to 32 from 36 and to 16 from 23, respectively.
2026-06-23