Manufacturers/End Users
April 15, 2026
New York manufacturing activity picks up, orders and shipments hit multi-year highs
Written by Laura Miller
Manufacturing activity in New York state strengthened in April, with steel-adjacent producers reporting firmer demand and improving throughput, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s latest Empire State Manufacturing Survey.
The headline general business conditions index rose 11 points to 11.0, marking a moderate expansion after a flat March.
New orders and shipments posted their strongest readings since 2023. The new orders index jumped 13 points to 19.3, while shipments surged 27 points to 20.2. Manufacturers also reported a third consecutive month of rising backlogs. Delivery times lengthened, signaling tighter capacity and renewed pressure on lead times. Inventories increased while supply availability worsened, with the supply availability index falling six points to -10.1.
Labor indicators improved as firms added headcount and extended hours. The employment index rose to 9.8, and the average workweek increased by 12 points to 13.7.
Input cost inflation accelerated sharply, as the prices paid index increased 14 points to 51.0 after easing in March. Selling prices, however, held steady at 21.8, suggesting margin pressure for manufacturers unable to fully pass through higher costs, according to the survey.
Forward-looking sentiment softened. While firms still expect conditions to improve over the next six months, the future business conditions index slipped 11 points to 19.6. Expectations for new orders, shipments, and employment remained positive, but capital spending plans weakened, with the capex index dropping to 13.1. Respondents also anticipate further deterioration in supply availability, pointing to continued procurement challenges heading into summer.
