N.Y. State Manufacturing Index Shows Growth

Manufacturing growth in New York state improved this month, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said Friday.

The regional Fed’s “Empire State Index,” generally the first economic indicator in a given month, rose to a 2.8 reading from negative 4.9 in July.

Readings above zero indicate expansion, while below that shows contraction. The index averaged 17.2 last year.

Economists had forecast a reading of negative 4, Bloomberg said.

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