This Week In Business was up by 750,000 from May (200,000 more than seasonal). Manufacturing employment, which has risen very sharply during the past year, continued to expand in June. On a seasonally adjusted basis, factory employment rose by 90,000 and was at its highest point since the fourth quarter of 1943. The overthe-month gains were concentrated in the five major metal and metal-using industries. Transportation equipment and primary metals both showed seasonally adjusted increases of about 200,000 in June,
and fabricated metals and machinery were up 10,000 each. The over-theyear expansion in manufacturing employment amounted to 700,000, or about one third of the total nonfarm increase. June-to-June job gains were 100,000 or more in machinery, electrical equipment, and transportation equipment and about 75,000 in primary metals and fabricated metals. In the nondurable goods sector, the chemical and allied products industry increased its employment over the year by 19,100, and rubber and plastic products by 31,400.
AUGUST
16,
1965
Prices. Primary market prices rose 0.7% in June. As in May, the bulk of the upward movement came in livestock and meats, although higher prices also affected some industrial commodities. At 102.8 (1957-59=100), the wholesale price index was 2.8% above the level of June 1964. Chemical prices declined in June as sharp competition dropped phthalic anhydride prices, and inedible fats and oils prices moved down for the second consecutive month.
PRICES
All Wholesale Commodities vs. Chemicals
Industrial Chemicals
Rubber Products
Drugs
Petroleum Products
AUG. 16, 196 5 C&EN
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