Fifth District manufacturing activity remained slow in December, according to the most recent survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The composite manufacturing index rose to -7 in December from -15 in November. All three of its component indexes increased but remained negative. The shipments index increased slightly to -11 from -14, new orders rose to -8 from -22, and the employment index increased to -1 from -7. The local business conditions index rose to -9 in December from -20 in November. Meanwhile, expectations for local business conditions improved as the index for future local business conditions ... (full story)