May 2022 Nonmanufacturing Business Outlook Survey

Note: Survey responses were collected from May 9 to May 19.

Nonmanufacturing business activity expanded this month, according to the firms responding to the May Nonmanufacturing Business Outlook Survey. The indexes for general activity at the firm level, new orders, and sales/revenues all declined for the second consecutive month but remained positive. The employment indexes continue to suggest overall increases in employment. The prices paid index rose to an all-time high, while the prices received index remained elevated but declined slightly this month. The respondents continue to expect growth over the next six months, but both future activity indexes fell from last month's readings.

Current Indicators Decline but Remain Positive

The diffusion index for current general activity at the firm level fell 5 points to 22.8 (see Chart). The share of firms reporting increases (42 percent) exceeded the share reporting decreases (19 percent). The new orders index fell 10 points to 3.9 this month. Almost 23 percent of the firms reported increases in new orders (down from 26 percent last month), while 19 percent reported decreases (up from 12 percent). The sales/revenues index decreased from 22.0 to 8.1. Over 34 percent of the firms reported increases in sales/revenues (down from 40 percent last month), while 26 percent reported decreases (up from 18 percent). The current regional activity index declined 6 points to 23.4.

Firms Report Overall Increases in Employment

The full-time employment index edged up to 15.3 this month from 14.9 last month. The share of firms reporting increases in full-time employment (23 percent) exceeded the share reporting decreases (8 percent); most firms (61 percent) reported no change. The part-time employment index increased 3 points to 15.1. Most firms (57 percent) reported steady part-time employment, while 26 percent reported increases and 11 percent reported decreases. The average workweek index decreased 2 points to 15.6.

Firms Continue to Report Price Increases

Price indicator readings suggest widespread increases in prices for inputs and the firms' own goods and services. The prices paid index reached a new all-time high this month, rising 5 points to 73.5. Most respondents (74 percent) reported increases in input prices, while less than 1 percent reported decreases; 19 percent reported stable prices. Regarding prices for the firms' own goods and services, the prices received index fell 4 points to 30.6 this month. More than 31 percent of the firms reported higher prices, less than 1 percent reported lower prices, and 55 percent reported no change.

Firms Expect Own Prices to Rise Slower Than Inflation

In this month's special questions, the firms were asked to forecast the changes in prices of their own products and for U.S. consumers over the next four quarters. The firms' median forecast for the rate of inflation for U.S. consumers over the next year was 5.0 percent, down from 6.0 percent from when the question was last asked in February. Regarding their own prices over the next year, the firms' median forecast was for an increase of 4.0 percent, down from 5.0 percent in February and above the median reported own price change over the past year of 3.5 percent. The firms expect their employee compensation costs (wages plus benefits on a per employee basis) to rise 5.0 percent over the next four quarters, the same as in February. The firms' median forecast for the long-run (10-year average) inflation rate was 5.0 percent, unchanged from February.

Future Indicators Remain Positive

Both future activity indexes declined but continue to suggest that the respondents expect overall growth in nonmanufacturing activity over the next six months. The diffusion index for future activity at the firm level decreased 11 points to 34.2 this month (see Chart). The share of firms expecting increases (50 percent) exceeded the share expecting decreases (16 percent). The future regional activity index decreased from 34.4 to 30.3 this month.

Summary

Responses to this month's Nonmanufacturing Business Outlook Survey suggest continued expansion in nonmanufacturing activity in the region. The indicators for firm-level general activity, sales/revenues, and new orders all declined but remained positive. The indicators for employment suggest overall increases. The prices paid index recorded an all-time high, while the prices received index declined but remained elevated. Overall, the respondents continue to expect growth over the next six months.

Summary of Returns (May 2022)

Return to the main page for the Nonmanufacturing Business Outlook Survey.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.