Business activity was little changed in New York State in March, according to firms responding to the Empire State Manufacturing Survey. The headline general business conditions index fell seven points to -0.2. New orders increased modestly, while shipments declined. Unfilled orders rose, delivery times lengthened, and supply availability was slightly worse. Inventories increased. Employment rose modestly and the average workweek edged up. The pace of input price increases declined significantly, but remained elevated, while the pace of selling price increases was little changed. Firms remained optimistic that ... (full story)