10:42 AM EST, 02/24/2025 (MT Newswires) -- The Dallas Fed's monthly manufacturing index fell sharply to a reading of minus 8.3 in February from 14.1 in January, compared with expectations for a smaller decrease to a reading of 6.4 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:45 am ET.

The index indicates a return to contraction, which is in contrast with the Empire State and the Philadelphia Fed readings released earlier that suggested expansion.

For Dallas, there were declines in the readings for production, shipments, new orders and employment but large gain in the prices paid reading.

The reading for the company outlook declined to minus 5.2 from 18.7 in January.