Economy
New York state manufacturing index drops again in April
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
April 15, 2025
Business activity declined for the second month in a row in New York state, according to the latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Firms turned pessimistic about the outlook, with the future general business conditions index falling to its second lowest reading in the more than 20-year history of the survey.
The survey found new orders fell modestly, and shipments edged lower. Delivery times held steady, and supply availability worsened. Inventories continued to expand. And employment was little changed, while the average work week moved lower.
“Input and selling price increases picked up to the fastest pace in more than two years. Firms turned pessimistic about the outlook for the first time since 2022,” said Richard Deitz, economic research adviser at the New York Fed.
After dropping steeply in March, the general business conditions index rose 12 points but remained below zero at -8.1. This is a diffusion index, where a positive reading signifies expansion from the prior month, zero indicates no change, and a negative reading signifies contraction.
An interactive history of the Empire State Manufacturing Index is available here on our website.
Stephanie Ritenbaugh
Read more from Stephanie RitenbaughLatest in Economy
Beige Book finds growing economic, policy uncertainty
All districts reported "hesitancy and a cautious approach to business and household decisions,” according to the Beige Book.
ISM: Manufacturing continues to contract in May
May marks the third consecutive month US manufacturing activity declined, according to supply executives contributing to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM)’s latest report.
Chicago PMI decreases 4.1 points in May
The Chicago Business Barometer reports that decreases in new orders, order backlogs, and softer production pulled the index down by 4.1-points to 40.5, in May.
Architecture firms struggle through April
For the third month in a row, architecture firms reported a reduction in billings through April, according to the latest Architecture Billings Index release.
House committee blocks GOP budget proposal
The budget proposal has big implications for steel and manufacturing.