US DATA: Dallas Fed text: “Texas factory activity increased in
January, according to business executives responding to the Texas
Manufacturing Outlook Survey. The production index, a key measure of
state manufacturing conditions, rose from 0.2 to 5.8, suggesting growth
resumed this month. Other measures of current manufacturing conditions
also indicated growth in January. The new orders index jumped to 9.5,
its highest reading in six months, after two months in negative
territory. Similarly, the shipments index turned positive after two
negative readings, rising from -1.1 to 6.1. Capacity utilization
increased further in January; the index moved up from 4 to 8.5.
Twenty-eight percent of manufacturers noted higher capacity utilization,
the highest share in nine months. Perceptions of broader economic
conditions were notably more positive in January. The general business
activity index shot up to 15.3 after dipping into negative territory in
December. Nearly a quarter of manufacturers noted improvement.”