New York Manufacturing Index Improves for Second Month

Manufacturing activity in the New York region rose this month at the fastest pace in almost two years, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Tuesday.

The regional Fed’s “Empire State Index,” generally the first economic indicator in a given month, rose to a reading of 18.9, from 12.1 in August, the regional Fed said.

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

The September reading was higher than economists’ forecasts of a 15 reading, Bloomberg reported.

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