US DATA: Feb Dallas Fed Mfg Outlook: “Texas factory activity
continued to increase in February, according to business executives
responding to the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey. The production
index, a key measure of state manufacturing conditions, rose from 5.8 to
11.2, suggesting a pickup in the pace of growth. Other measures of
current manufacturing conditions also indicated expansion in February.
The new orders index was positive for a second month in a row but fell
from 9.5 to 5.8. Similarly, the shipments index moved down from 6.1 to
4.2. Capacity utilization increased further in February; the index edged
up from 8.5 to 10. Perceptions of broader economic conditions were more
positive in February.”