Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
04/28/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/28/2026 09:02
Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey
April 28, 2026
Texas service sector activity increased in April, according to business executives responding to the Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey. The revenue index, a key measure of state service sector conditions, edged up three points to 4.3, suggesting revenue increased slightly.
Labor market measures suggested both employment and workweeks were unchanged in April. The employment, part-time employment and hours worked indexes all registered near-zero readings, indicating little change from March.
Perceptions of broader business conditions continued to worsen in April, though the indexes were less negative than the prior month. The general business activity index ticked up three points to -9.9, and the company outlook index rose five points to -5.0. Meanwhile, the outlook uncertainty index dipped two points to 24.8 but was still well above the series average of 14.1.
Selling and input price pressures increased while wage pressures eased. The selling prices index increased slightly to 8.3 from 4.9 in March. The input prices index rose seven points to 31.2, surpassing the series average of 27.7. Meanwhile, the wages and benefits index fell five points to 7.7.
Respondents' expectations regarding future service sector activity improved. The future revenue index was little changed from March at 31.5. The future general business activity index edged up two points to 4.7. Other future service sector activity indexes, such as employment and capital expenditures, remained in positive territory.
Next release: May 27, 2026
Data were collected April 14-22, and 244 of the 349 Texas service sector business executives surveyed submitted responses. The Dallas Fed conducts the Texas Service Sector Outlook Survey monthly to obtain a timely assessment of the state's service sector activity. Firms are asked whether revenue, employment, prices, general business activity and other indicators increased, decreased or remained unchanged over the previous month.
Survey responses are used to calculate an index for each indicator. Each index is calculated by subtracting the percentage of respondents reporting a decrease from the percentage reporting an increase. When the share of firms reporting an increase exceeds the share reporting a decrease, the index will be greater than zero, suggesting the indicator has increased over the prior month. If the share of firms reporting a decrease exceeds the share reporting an increase, the index will be below zero, suggesting the indicator has decreased over the prior month. An index will be zero when the number of firms reporting an increase is equal to the number of firms reporting a decrease.
Data have been seasonally adjusted as necessary.
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas published this content on April 28, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 28, 2026 at 15:02 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]