Business activity was little changed in New York State, according to firms responding to the September 2023 Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The headline general business conditions index rose twentyone points to 1.9. New orders and shipments increased. Delivery times remained steady, and inventories continued to contract. Labor market indicators pointed to a slight decline in employment levels and the average workweek. The pace of input price increases was similar to last month, while selling price increases picked up. Looking ahead, firms continued to grow more optimistic about the sixmonth outlook. Manufacturing ... (full story)