Fifth District manufacturing activity slowed somewhat in February, according to the most recent survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. The composite manufacturing index decreased to -10 in February from -6 in January. All three of its component indexes fell in February. Shipments dropped to -13 from -5, new orders decreased slightly to -9 from -6, and employment inched down to -7 from -6. The local business conditions index decreased to -15 in February from -8 in January. Meanwhile, expectations for local business conditions improved as the index for future local business conditions increased slightly to ... (full story)