New York State Manufacturing Index Rises

he pace of manufacturing growth in New York state rose in February from a month earlier, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Wednesday.

The regional Fed's “Empire State index” rose to 20.3 from 20.1 in January. Readings above zero indicate expansion.

The level was well above a predicted drop to an 18 reading, Bloomberg reported. In February 2004, the index reached a record high of 39.6.