The Kansas City Fed’s Manufacturing Production Index registered 17 in August 2026—its highest level since April 2022—and was unchanged from July. Nondurable goods manufacturing strengthened, led by gains in paper and printing, while growth in durable goods manufacturing moderated. Nearly all month-over-month indexes remained in positive territory, with the exception of new export orders, which declined to -2. Both employment measures softened slightly compared with the previous month.
Price pressures intensified: the index for prices paid for raw materials rose to 55 from 53, and the index for prices received for finished goods increased to 36 from 33. On a year-over-year basis, most indicators stayed positive, although new export orders fell to -9. Expectations for future activity remained solidly expansionary, with the composite index edging up to 20 from 19.
