Business activity continued to decline in New York State in June, according to firms responding to the Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The headline general business conditions index fell seven points to -16.0. New orders and shipments declined. Delivery times held steady, and supply availability worsened. Inventories were little changed. Employment grew slightly for the first time in several months, while the average workweek held steady. Input price increases slowed but remained substantial, while selling price increases picked up. Firms turned optimistic about the outlook, with the future general business ... (full story)