MetroIntelligence Economic Update by P. DUFFY
February manufacturing sector index edges up to 47.7 percent, but sector still declining
The February Manufacturing PMI registered 47.7 percent, 0.3 percentage point higher than the 47.4 percent recorded in January. In the last two months, the Manufacturing PMI® has been at its lowest levels since May 2020, when it registered 43.5 percent. With Business Survey Committee panelists reporting softening new order rates over the previous nine months, the February composite index reading reflects companies continuing to slow outputs to better match demand for the first half of 2023 and prepare for growth in the second half of the year.
February service sector index slips to 55.1 percent, but sector still growing
In February, the Services PMI registered 55.1 percent, 0.1 percentage point lower than January’s reading of 55.2 percent. The composite index indicated growth in February for the second consecutive month after a reading of 49.2 percent in December, the first contraction since May 2020 (45.4 percent). Suppliers continue to improve their capacity and logistics, as evidenced by faster deliveries. The employment picture has improved for some industries, despite the tight labor market. Several industries reported continued downsizing.
Share of U.S. homes worth over $1 million falls as mortgage rates have risen
Just over 7% of U.S. homes are worth $1 million or more. That’s down from June 2022’s all-time high of 8.6% and essentially unchanged from a year ago–but it’s up from 4.2% just before the pandemic began. This analysis uses the Redfin Housing Value Index—a model that incorporates the Redfin Estimate, public records and MLS data to estimate the current and historical value of more than 99 million properties in the U.S.
https://www.redfin.com/news/fewer-million-dollar-homes-january-2023/
