New York Manufacturing Index Jumps

Manufacturing activity in the New York region expanded in February at the fastest rate since June 2010, 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, jumped to a 19.5 reading, from 13.5 in January, the regional Fed said.

Readings above zero indicate expansion.

The February reading surpassed economists’ forecasts of a 15 reading, Bloomberg reported.

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