South By North Strategies, Ltd.

Manufacturing In The South Atlantic: June 2011

From the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s latest survey of manufacturing activity in the South Atlantic (District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia):

Manufacturing activity in the central Atlantic region firmed somewhat in June after stalling in May, according to the Richmond Fed’s latest survey. The index of overall activity steadied as a slightly positive reading for new orders coupled with solid employment growth offset a slightly negative reading for shipments. Other indicators were mixed, however. District contacts reported more moderate weakness in backlogs and capacity utilization, but noted that delivery times and finished goods inventories grew at a somewhat quicker pace.
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Looking ahead, manufacturers in June were more optimistic about their future business. Survey contacts at an increasing number of firms looked for solid growth in shipments, capacity utilization, new orders and capital expenditures over the next six months.

Overworked America

In an online collection of charts and graphs, Mother Jones documents how the economy has failed to deliver gains to working Americans. Among other things, the data collection shows how few labor protections are extended to U.S. workers relative to the norms in other countries.

Editor’s Note

Policy Points is taking several days off to celebrate the July 4th holiday. Normal posting will resume on Wednesday, July 6, 2011.

Thanks for your interest in the blog, and have a happy Independence Day!

Too Few Green Lights

A review of recent economic data prepared by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco offers evidence that the recovery is slowing.

Around The Dial – June 30, 2011

Economic policy reports, blog postings, and media stories of interest:

• Marshall Auerback describes the “Trojan horse rescue in Greece.”
• Nouriel Roubini has “that stalling feeling.”
• Robert Skidelsky worries that “free speech is under siege.”
• The News & Observer reports on cuts in state services.
• The New Republic explains yesterday’s health reform ruling.
• Simon Johnson asks if the US could have “an expansionary fiscal contraction.”