Fifth District manufacturing activity continued to grow at a moderate pace in September, according to the most recent survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. Shipments and the volume of new orders picked up this month. Manufacturing employment also strengthened this month, while average wages rose at a slower pace and the average workweek lengthened. Manufacturers remained optimistic about future business conditions. Survey participants expected faster growth in shipments and in the volume of new orders in the six months ahead. Producers looked for increased capacity utilization and anticipated rising ... (full story)