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Manufacturing activity grew at a slightly slower pace in the Tenth District in April, with the month-over-month composite index edging down to 10 in April from 11 in March. On the other hand, expectations for future activity improved 2 points to 18. The month-over-month activity loss was due to a decline in durable manufacturing, while nondurable manufacturing activity increased further. At the same time, all indexes except new orders for exports were positive in April. The Tenth Federal Reserve District encompasses the western third of Missouri; all of Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming; and the northern half of New Mexico.

The production and shipments indexes both declined but remained positive, decreasing from 11 to 10 and from 20 to 15, respectively. Meanwhile, new orders fell from 15 to 12. The employment index moved down 5 points to 2. At the same time, the pace of growth for prices paid and prices received strengthened, with raw materials prices jumping 26 points to 63 and prices received rising 6 points to 25. Furthermore, the indexes for prices received and paid both increased over the year, moving up to 57 and 88, respectively.

In April, survey respondents were asked special questions about changes in energy costs and the ability to pass through energy-related costs. Overall, 93% of firms reported that they have experienced higher transportation costs in the last two months, 43% saw higher natural gas costs and 38% noted higher electricity costs. Furthermore, over two-thirds of firms that have experienced higher energy costs said they will pass on 0% to 20% of those costs to customers, 3% will pass on 21% to 40%, 8% will pass through 41% to 60%, 4% will pass on 61% to 80% and 8% will pass on 81% to 100%. Meanwhile, 6% of firms have had to decrease prices.