The prior month remains unchanged at 30

The Richmond Fed manufacturing index for December came in at 20 verses 21 estimate. The prior month was higher at 30. Last month was the highest reading on record (going back to 1998). For this month:

  • Services index for December came in at 25 verses 30 last month
  • Manufacturing shipments fell to 24 from 33
  • New orders 16 verses 35 last month
  • Backlog orders -4 versus 21 last month
  • Capacity utilization 16 verses 19 last month
  • Number of employees 20 verses 18 last month
  • Wages 22 verses 21 last month
  • Average work week 8 verses 17 last month
  • prices paid 1.79% versus 2.04% last month
  • Prices received 1.27% versus 1.63% last month