Investing.com - Manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia-region fell less than expected in June, official data showed on Thursday.
In a report, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia said that its manufacturing index decreased to 27.6 this month from May’s reading of 38.8. Analysts had expected the index to decline to 24.0.
On the index, a reading above 0.0 indicates improving conditions, below indicates worsening conditions.
With regard to future activity in the sector, new orders improved to 25.9, compared to the May's reading of 25.4.
The employment index decreased to 16.1 in June, compared to a prior reading of 17.3, indicating a slower pace of hiring.
“Many of the indicators reflecting firms’ expectations for the next six months continued to retreat from recent highs but, on balance, suggest that growth is expected to continue through the end of the year,” the Philly Fed noted in the report.
Following the report, that was released simultaneously with the weekly jobless claims, export and import prices and the NY Empire State manufacturing index, EUR/USD traded at 1.1153, compared to 1.1158 prior to the publication, GBP/USD was at 1.2735 from 1.2740 ahead of the release of the data, while USD/JPY traded at 110.31 versus 110.17 earlier.
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, was at 97.39, compared to 97.32 before the release.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures pointed to a lower open. The Dow futures fell 81 points, or 0.38%, the S&P 500 futures lost 15 points, or 0.61%, while the Nasdaq 100 futures traded down 58 points, or 1.01%.
Elsewhere, in the commodities market, gold futures exchanged hands at $1,254.58, compared to $1,256.21 prior to the release, while crude oil traded at $44.52 a barrel from $44.58 earlier.