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Fifth District Survey of Service Sector Activity

May 25, 2021

Fifth District service sector activity improved in May, according to the most recent survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The indexes for revenues and demand rose from 22 and 32 in April to 29 and 43, respectively, in May. This was the highest reading on record for the demand index. Firms also reported improved local business conditions and increased spending. They were optimistic that growth would continue in the next six months.

Many firms reported growth in employment and wages in May, but they struggled to find workers with the necessary skills. Survey participants expected these trends to continue in the coming months.

The average growth rates of both prices paid and prices received by survey respondents increased in May. Growth of prices paid outpaced that of prices received, but participants expected that gap to narrow in the near future.

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