New York Manufacturing Index Expands

Manufacturing activity in the New York region expanded in October at the highest rate in four months, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Friday.

The regional Fed’s “Empire State Index,” generally the first economic indicator in a given month, rose to a 15.7 reading, from 4.1 in September, the regional Fed said.

Readings above zero indicate expansion. The index was more than twice economists’ forecasts of a 6 reading, Bloomberg reported.

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