Firmsresponding to the Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey indicated that the pace of regional manufacturing activity re‐ mained positive but decreased in December. The survey’s current indicatorsfor general activity, new orders,shipments, and employ‐ ment suggest growth; however, their values for this month were significantly lower than last month’s. The survey'sindicators of future activity show optimism about continued growth over the nextsix months but declined slightly from last month’sreadings. Indicators Suggest Reduced Activity The survey’s broadest measure of manufac‐ turing conditions, the diffusion ... (full story)