Many Fifth District manufacturing firms reported little change in activity in September, according to the most recent survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The composite manufacturing index rose from -8 in August to 0 in September, matching its July level. Two of its three component indexes improved notably: the indexes for shipments and volume of new orders rose from -8 and -20 in August to 14 and -11 in September, respectively. However, the third component, the employment index, fell to 0 from 11 in September, as hiring challenges persisted. The wage index also increased dramatically, surpassing its ... (full story)