In its “April 2019 Nonmanufacturing Business Outlook Survey,” the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia reported that the current general activity index rose to 39.2 in April from 38.2 in March.
Key takeaways from the press release
- The new orders index was also little changed from last month’s reading and edged up to 25.4.
- After a sharp increase last month, the sales/revenues index fell 5 points to 37.2.
- The full-time employment index fell 15 points to 18.3 in April.
- The diffusion index for future activity decreased slightly from 45.8 in March to 44.0 in April.