Economy
Manufacturing in New York state contracts again in May
Written by Brett Linton
May 15, 2025
Manufacturing activity in New York state declined for the third consecutive month, according to the May Empire State Manufacturing Survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Responding firms continue to forecast weaker business conditions in the coming months.
“Business activity continued to decline modestly in New York State in May,” commented New York Fed economic research advisor Richard Deitz. He explained that, “New orders and shipments increased after a decline last month, while supply availability worsened.”
The full release is available here.
The General Business Conditions Index contracted by one point in May to -9.2. While down month over month, the index is not as negative as it was in March, when we saw a one-year low of -20.0. 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.
The Empire State Manufacturing Index has only signaled improving business conditions for eight months in the last two years. The Index stood at -14.3 the same month last year.
Trends
To smooth monthly fluctuations and better highlight trends, the Index can be calculated on a three-month moving average (3MMA). On this basis, the Index declined nearly five points from April to May to a one-year low of -12.4 (Figure 1).
Recall that in 2024 we saw dramatic movements in the 3MMA. It touched a near four-year low of -22.3 in March 2024, then rebounded by November to reach a near three-year high of 10.3.
An interactive history of the Empire State Manufacturing Index is available here on our website.
Brett Linton
Read more from Brett LintonLatest in Economy
Multi-family pullback drives housing starts to 5-year low in May
US housing starts tumbled in May to a five-year low, according to figures recently released by the US Census Bureau.
Architecture firms still struggling, ABI data shows
Architecture firms reported a modest improvement in billings through May, yet business conditions remained soft, according to the latest Architecture Billings Index (ABI) release from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and Deltek.
Manufacturing in New York state contracts again
However, companies are growing more optimistic about the future.
ArcelorMittal plans wire-drawing closure in Hamilton, shifts production to Montreal
ArcelorMittal’s (AM) Hamilton location to be shuttered, wire production shifting to Montreal.
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.