Philly Fed Manufacturing Index Jumps in February

Washington, DC, Feb. 18, 2011 -- Manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia region jumped in February to its highest level since January 2004, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

The Philly Fed business condition index rose to 35.9 in February, up from 19.3 in January. Economists had expected the index to rise to 20.8.

The report is an early indication of the health of the manufacturing sector in general.