Chemical manufacturing activity indexes softened somewhat in Q2, with the new orders, order backlogs, and capacity utilization current conditions indexes sliding from Q1 but generally remaining in solid positive territory. The production index rose slightly to its highest level since the survey’s inception in Q1 2023, as did the supplier delivery times index. The overall company activity index increased to reach its second highest level on record, while the index of major customer demand picked up steam to reach its highest level since Q1 2024.