N.Y. Manufacturing Index Contracts

Manufacturing activity in the New York region contracted in June, 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, fell to a reading of negative 7.8, the lowest since November, from 11.9 in May.

Readings above zero indicate expansion. The November contraction had been the only negative reading in more than a year.

The index was projected to rise to a 12 reading, Bloomberg reported.

The Empire State index also covers northern New Jersey and Southern Connecticut. Manufacturing is one of trucking’s largest and most important customers.