Manufacturing activity in the region increased overall, according to the firms responding to the January Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey. The survey’s indicator for general activity rose and turned positive. The new orders and shipments indexes also moved higher. The employment index declined but continues to suggest overall increases in employment. The price indexes remained well above their long-run averages. Most of the survey’s broad indicators for future activity declined but continued to suggest expectations for overall growth over the next six months. Current Indicators Rise The diffusion index for ... (full story)