Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (10/27/2014)

Texas factory activity increased again in October, according to business executives responding to the Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The production index, a key measure of state manufacturing conditions, fell from 17.6 to 13.7, indicating output grew but at a slightly slower pace than in September. The new orders index rose from 7.5 to 14.2, reaching a six-month high.

Labor market indicators reflected continued employment growth and longer work weeks. The October employment index posted a robust reading for the fifth consecutive month, holding steady at 10.2. Nineteen percent of firms reported net hiring, compared with 9% reporting net layoffs. The hours worked index also held fairly steady, coming in at 8.3 after rising to 9.5 last month.