New York Manufacturing Index Expansion Slows

Manufacturing activity in the New York region expanded in September at the lowest rate in more than a year, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Wednesday.

The regional Fed’s “Empire State Index,” generally the first economic indicator in a given month, fell to a 4.1 reading, from 7.1 in August, the regional Fed said.

It was the lowest reading since August 2009. Readings above zero indicate expansion.

The index was below economists’ forecasts of a reading of 8, Bloomberg reported.

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