Global Macro Monitor

The Philadelphia Federal Reserve reported its Business Outlook this morning,

The survey’s broadest measure of manufacturing conditions, the diffusion index of current activity, increased from 20.7 in October to 40.8 this month and has now been positive for nine consecutive months (see Chart). This was the highest reading since December 1993. The percentage of firms reporting increased activity this month (49 percent) was significantly greater than the percentage reporting decreased activity (9 percent).

Both the current new orders and shipments indexes rose from their readings in October. The current new orders index, which reflects the demand for manufactured goods, increased 18 points, to 35.7. Over 44 percent of the firms reported a rise in new orders, compared with 36 percent last month.

Labor market indicators showed improvement this month. The current employment index rose 10 points in November, to 22.4, and hit a 3½ year high. Twenty-nine percent of the firms reported increases in employment compared with 20 percent that reported increased employment last month. Firms also reported higher work hours, with the average workweek index rising from -1.3 to 7.8 this month.

There are some caveats to the report, however.   CNBC notes,

Economists were quick to pour cold water on the number, suggesting it was an aberration unlikely to hold up.

…this particular number would indicate expansion faster than anyone is imagining.

In fact, the reading would be consistent with a 6.5 percent growth in the gross domestic product in the fourth quarter, according to Capital Economics, which said the reading likely will fall back to reality in December.

(click here if chart is not observable)