FX.co ★ Richmond Manufacturing Gauge Edges to 3 in April, Signaling Modest Expansion in U.S. Mid-Atlantic

The Richmond Manufacturing Index for the United States stood at 3 in April 2026, indicating a modest expansion in factory activity across the Federal Reserve’s Fifth District. The latest reading, released on 28 April 2026, suggests that regional manufacturing conditions have steadied after previous fluctuations, following the March 2026 report.

A level above zero on the index typically reflects growth in manufacturing, while readings below zero signal contraction. With the indicator now at 3, the data point to a cautiously improving environment for producers in the Richmond Fed region, which includes key industrial areas. Investors and policymakers will be watching subsequent releases to determine whether this tentative upturn can be sustained and whether it feeds through into broader U.S. economic momentum in the coming months.