Inflation expectations for the year ahead among businesses in a swath of the U.S. South remained unchanged at 2.0% in September, the latest survey data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta showed.
Profit margins remained virtually unchanged compared with normal levels, as the corresponding diffusion index edged down to negative 17.0 in September from negative 15.0 recorded in the prior month.
Sales levels somewhat improved month over month as the corresponding diffusion index came in at negative 2.0 in September compared with August's negative 4.0.
A diffusion index above zero denotes a reading greater than normal levels.
On an annual basis, unit cost growth was unchanged at 1.9% in the September survey.
Businesses' sales were 0.1% below normal on average in July, compared with the last measure, at 5.0% below normal in April.
The business inflation expectations index measures the year-ahead inflationary sentiments of businesses in the Atlanta Fed's district, which covers much of the Deep South, and offers insight into drivers of cost changes and pricing decisions.
