New York Manufacturing Index Improves

Manufacturing activity in the New York region improved this month, 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 15.6 reading, from 4.5 in December, the regional Fed said.

Readings above zero indicate expansion, while below that shows contraction.

The index was over economists’ forecasts of a 12 reading, Bloomberg reported.

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