New York Factory Index Expands for Fourth Month

Manufacturing activity in the New York region rose for a fourth straight month in November, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Monday.

The regional Fed’s “Empire State Index,” generally the first economic indicator in a given month, fell to a 23.5 reading, from 34.6 in October, the regional Fed said.

Readings above zero indicate expansion, while below that shows contraction. October's reading was the highest since mid-2004.

The index was below economists’ forecasts of a 30 reading, Bloomberg reported.

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