Kansas City Fed reports Plunge in District's Manufacturing

    

   CRANBURY, N.J. (DTN) -- The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City reported 
manufacturing activity in the Tenth District plunged to an 11-year low at -17 
in March from an index reading of 5 in February, with firms in the District 
expecting lower prices in the next six months.

   The decline in manufacturing spanned plants making durable and non-durable 
goods. The composite index fell 17 points to -12, and future composite index 
plunged from 16 to -19.

   "Approximately 73 percent of factory contacts reported decreased outlooks 
for business activity and demand for products or services due to the 
coronavirus outbreak and recent market volatility," said the Kansas City Fed.

   "Margins can't get much worse. We may have to shut down," said one firm 
responding to the survey, and another firm reported a high rate of 
cancellations.

   Nearly 59% of District firms reported a decline in their capital 
expenditures outlook for 2020 or said spending plans had been put on hold. 
Roughly 60% of Tenth District manufacturers said customer payments have been 
delayed, and 54% had cash availability concerns.

   Uncertainty over the business climate spiked, while one firm noted many of 
its employees live from paycheck to paycheck, and that while they said they are 
doing their best to support their workers, they will need to lay people off if 
current conditions persist for more than a month.

   The Fed survey found 35% of firms in the District reported a decline or 
expected decline in employment.

   "$30 per barrel oil is a much bigger problem that people are not focusing on 
because of C-19," said another District firm.

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