New York Manufacturing Index Rises

April 15, 2010 9:30 AM, EDT

Manufacturing activity in the New York region grew this month for the ninth consecutive month, 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 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.