New York Manufacturing Index Rises

The regional Fed’s “Empire State Index,” generally the first economic indicator in a given month, rose to a 31.9 reading, from 22.9 in March, the regional Fed said.

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

The index was higher than economists’ forecasts of an 24 reading, Bloomberg reported.

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