The Dallas Fed's manufacturing survey showed the contraction in business activity continued in April with the general activity index registering minus 14.5 in April versus minus 14.4 in March and minus 11.3 in February.

Details in the Dallas report included new orders at minus 5.3 in April versus minus 11.8 in March and 5.2 in February. Production came in at 4.8 in April versus minus 4.1 in March and 1.0 in February. Shipments registered 5.0 in April versus minus 15.4 in March and 0.1 in February.

Employment came in at -0.1 in April versus 1.5 in March and 5.9 in February. Wages jumped to 30.6 in April, a seven-month high, from 20.4 in March and 20.1 in February.

Prices paid for raw materials were 11.2 in April versus 21.1 in March and 15.4 in February. Prices received were 5.5 in April versus 11.0 in March and 0.8 in February.

On the six-month outlook, general business conditions registered 7.9 in April versus 1.3 in March and 6.2 in February.

The activity index is expected to extend its long contraction, at a consensus of minus 11.3 in April versus minus 14.4 in March.

The Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey tracks factory activity in Texas on a monthly basis. Firms are asked whether output, employment, orders, prices and other indicators increased, decreased or remained unchanged over the previous month. Responses are aggregated into balance indexes where positive values generally indicate growth while negative values generally indicate contraction. About 100 manufacturers regularly participate in the survey.

Investors track economic data like the Dallas Fed Manufacturing Survey to understand the economic backdrop for the various markets. The stock market likes to see healthy economic growth because that translates to higher corporate profits. The bond market prefers a moderate growth environment that will not generate inflationary pressures. The Dallas Survey gives a detailed look at Texas' manufacturing sector, how busy it is and where it is headed. Since manufacturing is a major sector of the economy, this report can have a big influence on the markets. Some of the survey indexes also provide insight on inflation pressures -- including prices paid, prices received, wages & benefits, and capacity utilization. The Federal Reserve closely watches this report because when inflation signals are flashing, policymakers can reset the direction of interest rates. As a consequence, the bond market can be highly sensitive to this report. The equity market is also sensitive to this report because it is an early clue on the nation's manufacturing sector, reported in advance of the ISM manufacturing index and often in advance of the NAPM-Chicago index.