New York Manufacturing Index Rises

Manufacturing activity in the New York region expanded in March at the fastest rate since June 2010, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Thursday.

The regional Fed’s “Empire State Index,” generally the first economic indicator in a given month, rose to a 20.2 reading, from 19.5 in February, the regional Fed said.

Readings above zero indicate expansion.

The March reading surpassed economists’ forecasts of a 17.5 reading, Bloomberg reported.

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