Survey Indicates Conditions for New York Manufacturers Continue to Weaken

Sept 19 - The September Empire State Manufacturing Survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York indicates that conditions for New York manufacturers continued to weaken. The general business conditions index slipped another five points to -10.4, its second consecutive negative reading. The new orders index fell nine points to -14.0, its third straight negative reading. Both of these measures reached their lowest levels in almost two years. The shipments index was little changed at 2.8. The prices paid index edged up to 19.2, suggesting moderate increases in input prices, while the prices received index hovered a little above zero for a fourth consecutive month. The index for number of employees fell noticeably but remained just above zero at 4.3, suggesting a slower pace of hiring activity than in recent months. The average workweek index remained near zero. By contrast, indexes for the six-month outlook were mostly steady to somewhat higher than in August, suggesting modestly greater optimism about business conditions in the months ahead.

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