New York ‘Empire State’ Manufacturing Index Improves

Manufacturing activity in the New York region improved this month, showing positive activity for the 11th straight month, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Tuesday.

The regional Fed’s “Empire State Index,” generally the first economic indicator in a given month, rose to a 19.6 reading, from 19.1 in April, the regional Fed said.

Readings above zero indicate expansion, while below that shows contraction. The index’s reading was below economists’ forecasts of a 20 reading, Bloomberg reported.

Manufacturing is one of trucking’s largest and most important customers.