Economic Data for Wednesday, May 3, 2000
Factory Orders for March = + 2.2%
census.gov
New orders for manufactured goods in March increased $8.3 billion or 2.2 percent to $383.2 billion, the Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census reported today. This follows a slight February decrease. Shipments increased $6.2 billion or 1.7 percent to $377.1 billion, following a 0.1 percent February increase. This is the sixth consecutive increase and the largest since January 1997. Unfilled orders increased $6.1 billion or 1.1 percent to $552.7 billion, following a 0.7 percent February increase. This is the ninth consecutive increase. Inventories increased $0.2 billion to $476.2 billion, following a 0.7 percent February increase. This is the seventh consecutive increase. The inventories-to-shipments ratio was 1.26, down from 1.28 in February.
NAPM non-manufacturing for April = + 65.0%
Prices Paid = + 71.0%
napm.org
"NAPM's Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index registered 65 percent in April, 1 percentage point higher than in March, indicating slightly faster growth in non-manufacturing economic activity. Comments from purchasing executives were very positive on business activity in April.
Prices paid by members' firms for purchased materials and services continue to be a concern. While the Price Index decreased slightly in April (to 71 percent from 72 percent in March), it has risen from 56 percent in December 1999.
Beige Book report out this afternoon. |
