- Michael Trebing, Philadelphia Federal Reserve
US manufacturing activity in the Mid-Atlantic region slowed markedly in April, official figures revealed on Thursday. The Philadelphia Federal Reserve reported its Manufacturing Index dropped to 22.0 in the reported month, following March's reading of 32.8 and falling behind analysts' expectations for a decrease to 25.6 points. Analysts stated that business optimism prompted by Donald Trump's win in the presidential election started to fade, putting downward pressure on business activity. Thursday's data also showed the New Orders Index fell to 27.4 from 38.6 points posted in March, the highest since December 1987. Meanwhile, the six-month business outlook declined to 45.4 from 59.5 points registered in March, the strongest since August 2014. The Price Index dropped to 33.7 from 40.7 points posted in March, the highest since May 2011. On the positive side, the Employment Index rose to 19.9, the strongest since May 2011. Manufacturers also said that they would increase capital spending this year due to expected higher sales. Furthermore, 36.7 of the respondents said that capital spending would take place in the first half of the year. Other data release on Thursday showed initial jobless claims climbed 10,000 to 244,000 last week.
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