The Dallas Fed manufacturing index unexpectedly jumped.
The latest reading for the index came in at 24.5 for February.
Meanwhile, economists had forecast that the index ticked down slightly to 19.4 from the prior month’s 22.1.
The measure has held above zero, suggesting an expansion, for five straight months after not registering a reading in positive territory since December 2014 amid theoil-price crash.
The enthusiasm surrounding US President Donald Trump’s election has appeared to carry over into the start of 2017. However, one respondent said in the January report, “We expect President Trump’s policies towards NAFTA and Mexico will have a negative impact in the borderland in the next six months.”
